A family and a name
by Pauline Simonsen
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Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him. The eunuch … went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:38,39b).
Read Acts 8:26–40
‘I am the treasurer of Ethiopia, in the service of the great Queen Candace for many years now. You know of her, surely? I worship the God of the Hebrews, and every year my gracious Queen allows me to come here to Jerusalem, to the temple of the Lord Almighty.
‘But you know, I am a eunuch, and it is written in the Hebrew law that “no-one who has been emasculated … may enter the assembly of the Lord” [Deut 23:1]. This is deeply grieving to me. I have bought a scroll of Isaiah for the Queen’s library, and I am reading it in my carriage returning home. The great prophet writes of a “servant” who will bring justice with wisdom and will be a light for all nations – for Ethiopia! But the servant will suffer terribly and be killed for our transgressions. He is like me – cut off from family with no descendants to carry on his name. I don’t understand then how he can be a light for us all …?’
…
‘Something astonishing has just happened! A man came suddenly by my carriage, so we stopped and spoke together. This man, Philip, explained the scroll to me. He said that the “servant” is a man called Jesus of Nazareth, who was revealed as the Son of the Lord Almighty. He did many mighty works, and spoke with great wisdom. But he was put to death. Philip was his disciple, and saw him killed, but also – amazing! – saw him alive again!
‘And the best news is this: Jesus, this Christ, welcomes all into his kingdom! Phillip showed me writing later in the Isaiah scroll:
“For this is what the Lord says:
‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—
to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever’” [Is 56:4,5].
‘It is this Jesus whose name will last for ever, as the Son of God – and I am baptised into his family now, so I carry his name! I belong to the Lord Almighty forever – they are my family now! Is it not wonderful?
‘I am going to tell my Queen of this great news!’
Thank you, gracious God, that we who were far off have been brought into your family through Jesus your Son. Thank you that we all are welcome, with our backgrounds and baggage. Thank you for giving us your name and a place in your house forever! Amen.
Pauline Simonsen is the dean of Emmaus, a Christian training provider for adults in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Pauline is also a spiritual director and enjoys leading retreats or guest speaking for the wider Christian church. She is married to Roger, and they live with two much-loved cats in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand.
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