Prepare Hearts to Receive God’s Word

by Andy Scott, Chief Programs Officer

“Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.” Acts 8:26 NKJV

As I read this well-known scripture again, the words “this is desert” jumped out at me.  Verse 26 in NKJV reads, “Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.” The NIV refers to it as “the desert road.”

Deserts are places of bareness and isolation, and it’s in this setting that we find an Ethiopian eunuch traveling down the desert road.  He had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way home, reading Scripture as he traveled.  We don’t know much about him other than he was a man of great authority under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury.

What we can surmise is that despite being in Jerusalem to worship, he had no understanding of scripture.  But there he was on the desert road reading Scripture. Seeking to understand the truth of God’s word.

On that desert road, God sends Philip to reveal the truth of God’s word. The eunuch’s eyes are opened to Jesus, and he confesses that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  How likely is it, traveling in a desert on a desert road, that you’d come across water? They did!

The Ethiopian Eunuch acknowledges Jesus as Lord, is saved, and baptized.

As I reflect on the scripture in the context of ICM, there is much to draw from. So many people around the world are seeking God. They are trying to grasp what His word means to them but find themselves in a desert. They are reading, but the word is not taking root in their life.

That is until they meet up with their Philip.  Someone used by God to open up His word and draw them into a purposeful, meaningful relationship with Christ. Perhaps a man who found a vibrant, healthy church that taught the truth of God’s word.

As we pray, let’s thank God for all the healthy churches that have been built. Thank God for those who faithfully studied our Foundations material and became strong and mature in their faith.  Raised into messengers of the Gospel that go out into the world where it’s dry, dusty, and lifeless. Bringing life to the lifeless by proclaiming the truth of His Word.  As we thank God for all He has done, continue to pray that many more healthy churches will raise disciples to be effective proclaimers of the Gospel.