PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 8:5-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.” (Acts 8:5)
In Jesus’s time, there was real animosity between Jews and Samaritans.
Each thought they were the true religion, and the other a heresy.
Jesus breaks down these barriers by working and speaking with Samaritans.
And here we see the Spirit leading the first disciples to follow Jesus.
Jesus comes to break down the walls and barriers between us.
“Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,
slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
As Jesus followers, we need to break down the walls that divide us.
The Spirit sends us to everyone to share the love of Jesus.
We show people with our words and actions how God blesses all people.
But our message needs to be grace, not condemnation or judgment.
People are paying closing attention to what we say and do (8:6).
They can tell whether we are for or against them, loving or judging them.
May there be great joy among our neighbors as we share Jesus with them.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see people of other ‘groups’ as my brothers and sisters, and to share the love of God with them in words and deeds of grace.
Do I still react with great joy when I hear about the messiah? I’m not even sure if I ever expect to hear great joy if I bring up Jesus.
I wonder what it would look like to adopt and be intentional about reacting to Jesus with great joy.
What a blessing when people receive the Good News with open arms and minds – what joy it brought and still brings to people who find Jesus! I need to take the time to just dwell on that as well, especially in times of frustration and discouragement – I need not fear for Jesus is there – his HS is there! I just got to keep my focus on him – that’s when I find joy and peace and hope! Lord Jesus, help me deal with any prejudices I may still have – so that I can be open to all I meet!
The crowds heard the words and saw the deeds Philip performed. A word and deed ministry indeed. And I have the same task. I am a living epistle read by all bey my words and deeds. All those around me need to see that I am a living letter showing the love of Christ. Those I meet and greet pay attention to me since I am Christian by name. I need to share the love of Christ to all, to be like Jesus unto them.
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today