May 14, 2006 Acts 8:26-40

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.

The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

When I first was called out to Norton, and then took the call to Topeka, my mother jokingly razzed me that she wished I would take a call to Hawaii or something. I can see how she may not like the tourism aspect to Kansas. There was a post card that came out about a year ago for Kansas which had a CSI crime scene with a dead body. The investigators say that the victim "died of boredom." Another cartoon said that Kansas was the last place people would want to take a vacation to, but then at the end it said, "that doesn't mean we don't want to live here." In keeping with that retort, I tell my mother that I happen to enjoy Kansas - the people, the schools and the winters of Kansas. I have even encouraged her to move out here, although it will never happen.

In Walther's Twentieth Evening lecture, he wrote,

"When a place has been assigned to a Lutheran candidate of theology where he is to discharge the office of a Lutheran minister, that place ought to be to him the dearest, most beautiful, and most precious spot on earth. He should be unwilling to exchange it for a kingdom. Whether it is in a metropolis or in a small town, on a bleak prairie or in a clearing or in the forest, in a flourishing settlement or in a desert, to him it should be a miniature paradise." (207)

There's been a lot of push in our Synod lately about going to the metropolitan areas - go where the people are. It makes sense. Yet we need to be careful that we don't disparage the more remote calls.

The reason I make mention of this is because of the location of Philip's call. Where is he called to go to? "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." On this road he wouldn't find a community or even a family - but simply a lone eunuch, a man without family or any hope of a family - reading his Bible by himself in a chariot. This was no glorious commission to a huge congregation or a world wide ministry. Yet Philip went and ran up to the chariot.

You may feel like you are on that desert road - like the Holy Spirit has led you down a dead end path that isn't utilizing your full talents and allowing you any opportunities to share your faith. You may have been called to work with four walls and a conveyor belt, a couple of unthankful children, to study in a boring classroom under a liberal professor, or under an overbearing boss. It may seem like you are being called to work in the middle of a desert. Do not run from that call. As we look at Philip's response to his call, we are encouraged also to -

Go to the Desert Road

I. It still has thirsty people on it

If you notice from the text, Philip wasn't told WHY to go to the desert road. Yet in obedience to the angel he started out immediately. It didn't take long for him to find his mission. ON HIS WAY he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Ethiopia today is located in the middle eastern edge of Africa, just off of the southwestern edge of the Red Sea. Back then "Ethiopia was more from the region between Egypt and Sudan - a little further north. The word "Ethiopian" is actually a conglomeration of two words, aitho - meaning "scorch" and ops - meaning "face." Luke was basically saying that this was a black man who came from the region of the Upper Nile - northern Africa.

This man was also a eunuch. That means he was castrated in some way. Back in those days slaves were sometimes made eunuchs so that they could be trusted with the harems of the king. The castration would greatly reduce their sexual drive. They would then be able to focus on financial matters or other matters. We don't how this man got to be this way. Yet we do know that he had gained much influence and power within the Ethiopian kingdom. The fact that he was riding on a chariot and reading - while someone else was driving - tells us that he was enjoying a good life. That's about as much as we know about this man physically.

Yet even with the riches, the man had a spiritual side to him. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. Even though he was of a different skin color and descent - and even though he was a eunuch - he still went to worship at Jerusalem. This reminds me of the story in the Old Testament of the Queen of Sheba coming to Solomon. I find it very interesting that this man came from so far away to worship at Jerusalem - and also that he had at least a portion of the Bible and he was reading it! In the Old Testament God had forbid the Israelites to undergo castration. The Old Testament also said that the Jews were the chosen people. You would think that this man would have no interest in what the Jewish religion was. Yet God's Word in the Old Testament was also full of welcoming invitations for other nations to come and worship. Isaiah 56 said,

Isaiah 56:3-5 Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely exclude me from his people." And let not any eunuch complain, "I am only a dry tree." 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 not be cut off.

I can't help but think that this was one of this eunuch's favorite passages. The text he is reading in the chariot isn't far away from this one - not far at all. Therefore, this man came to Jerusalem to worship this God. He was so thirsty that he was even reading his Bible on the way home - thirsting for more and more. Even though he had just finished worshiping at the temple, he still wasn't satisfied. Something was missing.

If you think about it, this eunuch didn't meet the profile for a "good prospect" did he? He hadn't undergone any kind of tragedy in his life. He wasn't moving. He had plenty of riches and prestige. Yet here he was in the middle of not only a physical desert but also a spiritual desert - still thirsty - a prime person to be fed. I wonder how many people you know that seem on the outside to have "everything" and lack nothing - who are really thirsty inside? In an interview on ESPN on November 5^th, 2005, Tom Brady said, "Why do I have 3 super bowl rings, and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people out there would say, 'hey man, this is what it is. I've reached my goal, my dream, my life is . . .' Me, I think, "God, there has to be more than this. " Even with three Super Bowl rings, he still thirsted for more. How many people do you know that are really content with life? Even though we are the richest country ever, most of our coworkers and friends and classmates are not happily content. You might be surprised how thirsty people really are - for something beyond the big screen TV, the three car garage, or the happy family. As they are riding in their chariots, they are still thirstily seeking answers all over the place - through psychics, nature, horoscopes, and even in church.

II. Give the thirsty life giving water

As thirsty as this eunuch was, his thirst just wasn't getting quenched. He was reading his Bible. He was going to the temple and listening to the priests. Yet there seemed to be something missing from this religion. It was like he just wasn't getting it - a major piece of the puzzle that could put the whole Old Testament together and quench his thirst. As Philip approached his chariot, he heard him reading Isaiah 53:7-8.

"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."

The eunuch was probably saying to himself, "who was led like a lamb to the slaughter?" The chapter talked about this man being "punished for our transgressions." He must have thought, "the rest of Scriptures don't talk about Isaiah having died for anyone. So he can't be talking about himself. The Messiah the Jews talk about seems to be more powerful - like he's going to establish a big kingdom on earth. But that's not the picture I get from Isaiah. I just don't get it."

When Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?" "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Some might get the impression from this passage that the Scriptures are unclear. That isn't the case at all. I tell you that it was because the passage was clear that he didn't get it. His problem was that these verses weren't fitting into his reason or his religion. They weren't fitting his picture of salvation or God. That's why God's Word says in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." Mark Twain confirmed this when he said, "It's not the things in the Bible I don't understand that bother me, but the things I do understand that bother me." The eunuch seemed to be at the point of exasperation. He just couldn't get it. When Philip came, the eunuch begged him to explain it.

The Holy Spirit saw his struggle. God was concerned for this one man going through the desert. Here he had the tool of salvation right at his fingertips, yet there was no one there to open the lid. So He sent Philip on a mission to open that secret to all the Scriptures. Luke writes, Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest places where the suffering and death of Christ is predicted in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit had lofted Philip a softball to basically hit out of the park. So Philip evangelized - told the eunuch that Jesus - as the Christ - had to be slaughtered like a sheep - for the sins of the world. His good news was that JESUS was the sheep that Isaiah was talking about. He came. He died. He rose from the dead. The penalty was paid. Salvation was won.

JESUS is the key that unlocks all of the Bible to us. JESUS said in John 5:39, "these are the Scriptures that testify ABOUT ME." John also wrote in chapter 20 that these were written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ." Paul also said, "we preach Christ crucified." All of God's Word points forward and back to one central point in the Bible - and that point is the cross - to the death of God who had put on flesh. If you don't see the cross in the Scriptures - if you don't see the crucified Christ in the Bible, then you will never really "get it." You will constantly craving for something more - another revelation - a deeper truth - a more profound way of living life - how to be a "better" wife, husband, and Christian.

You have friends, neighbors, and even family members who are in the same spiritual position as the eunuch. They may even read their Bibles daily and go to worship. Yet they are still thirsty for the true Christ. Maybe - just maybe - you too are thirsty? Starving for forgiveness? Why is that? Because you sin? You should be starving. All of us should starve for God's forgiveness because we all sin daily. Yet the thing that is supposed to distinguish us as truly old evangelical Lutherans is this core message - salvation through faith in the cross of Christ. Even though you know you need forgiveness, you also know that when you die you know you will go to heaven. Why? Not because you are better than other people. You know you're as much a sinner as the next guy. No, it's because you believe God's promise to you in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in him shall not perish but have eternal life." You believe God's promise in Hebrews 10 that you "have been made holy through the blood of Christ once for all." The comfort that we have as old evangelicals is that we are already holy in God's sight through the blood of Christ - which has been poured on us through faith, which has most often been given to us in baptism. This is different from those who teach, "yes, you will go to heaven after you do all you can do." It's different from those who say, "Jesus was good. You be good. Then you'll go to heaven." It's completely opposite of those who say, "God will give you the power and grace to do what He tells you to, and because of that you'll go to heaven." Many people within Christianity don't see perfection in Christ. They only see Moses in Christ. Therefore, they are thirsty.

God is calling on you to drink this Water yourself, and then give the starving people Christ. Quench their thirst. They are living in a desert. Show them that Jesus isn't a law giver. He's a grace giver. Jesus isn't just an example to follow. He's a Savior to trust in. People need to see that when Jesus said, "it is finished," He meant it. They need their thirst for holiness and true acceptance quenched in the Gospel. That means you need to evangelize. Evangelizing isn't just putting on a smile and having nice music in worship. Evangelizing means to talk about Jesus as Savior - to not be ashamed of the Gospel. You need to talk about the cross. Describe forgiveness. Teach people that the cross is your garbage disposal for your sins. It's your source of confidence. It's your solid foundation.

III. Get ready to get your feet wet

If Philip had any doubts or questions about why the angel had told him to go on the desert road, do you think he had any after this experience with the eunuch? Just look at how the eunuch responded to this good news -

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"

In Acts 2:38 Peter said to the people, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Recognizing these wonderful promises of forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit in baptism, the eunuch also desired to be baptized. He knew that baptism would provide him with the comfort and strength that he had been so starving for. He gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Imagine the scene! Here they were, going full bore, and the eunuch suddenly calls out, "STOP THE CHARIOT." He was probably wearing some royal robes of some sort. I don't know what kind of a pond they found on the side of this desert road. Perhaps it wasn't any more than a few inches deep. Yet nonetheless, they went down from the chariot into the water. The eunuch was more than willing to be anointed with the water, no matter how dirty it was, because of the promises attached to it. It would quench his spiritual thirst all the more! What a joyful moment it must have been both for Philip and the eunuch. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

You never know where you'll meet a thirsty eunuch. It might be your co-worker. It might be one of your naughtiest classmates. Maybe you just need to look a little. This Thursday I'm going to try something completely new - it's scary to me. I'm going to volunteeer myself to go to police scenes where they have found a dead body, so I can go there to console the bereaved if they so desire. I don't know how it is going to go. I don't know whether it will work out or not. But the Gospel is worth taking the risk. Isn't that what we're here for? Look for opportunities - for starving people - and be willing to share with them what hydrates your soul - the Gospel of Christ crucified. It might be your own sister or brother - the last person you'd ever expect. Your initial reaction might be, "he'll never listen. She doesn't want to hear about Jesus." We live afraid to share Jesus - because we're afraid that people just don't want to listen. God forgive us. I believe more people are thirsty than we know - even life long "Christians". Don't sell the Gospel short. Let it go.

When Philip was given the opening, before he knew it he was getting his feet wet with the eunuch. That's how powerful the Gospel is. Just give it a chance. Let the Holy Spirit do His work. Share the comfort you have - and the confidence you live with - knowing you're forgiven. Before you know it, you too may be getting your feet wet in the middle of the desert. There's something indescribably great about telling someone about Jesus for the first time - and seeing their eyes light up with the Gospel. I'll never forget the response of one of our very own members who was just overcome with emotion at the pure Gospel. Even though she had gone to church through most of her youth, she never had that confidence and peace of knowing what Christ did for her. It was so neat to see this conversion right before my eyes. The same must have been true of Philip. Imagine how great it must have been to feed this starving soul - to open up Isaiah to him in a completely new light - in the light of Christ! How great it must have been to get his feet wet in baptizing the eunuch.

When Philip was called to the desert, he could have walked away from the angel's command and said to him, "I need to go up to Caesarea right now! That's where the people are at." Yet by God's grace, he followed the pathway to Gaza, and was given a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel. At this one moment in the middle of the desert he was able to have one on one access to a busy man - a man who was starving for Christ. He was able to experience a wonderful conversion of this eunuch. That one man meant a lot to God - so much that he put Philip on a special trip just to go there - before he sent him to Caesarea.

You may feel that you are living in the middle of a desert - with no opportunities to let your light shine. There may not be as many opportunities in your little corner of the world. But even if there's one - one child, one infant, one co-worker - that one person is starving - and that one person needs to be connected to Jesus. God didn't send Philip to Caesarea until he went into the desert and watered this eunuch. Instead of running from the desert or complaining to God about your call, go to the desert road - and give them the Living Water of Christ crucified - so they too can drink it and live. Amen.