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I. - The Story of the
Ethiopian and Philip
One day, as our blessed
Saviour returned from Judea to Galilee, He passed through Samaria, and at
Jacob's Well He led a poor, ignorant, and guilty-heart to the fountain of
living water; and as He looked at the fields, and saw them white already
for the harvest, He thought of another harvest not far off, when, after
His suffering and ascension, and the outpouring of the Spirit, the gospel
of the kingdom would be believed and accepted by many humble and joyous
hearts. Two days He remained in that city of Samaria, and many believed in
Him.
Only a few years had
passed, and wonderful events had taken place in Jerusalem. There the Lamb
of God was led to the slaughter, there the Lion of the tribe of Judah rose
victorious from the grave, and there, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit
of God descended, and thousands were converted, and brought to life
eternal. They began at Jerusalem ; but it was the will of God that they
should preach the Word to all nations, and therefore the tempest of
persecution arose, the disciples were scattered, that the name of Jesus,
as precious ointment poured forth, might fill the whole earth with its
heavenly fragrance. Then Philip the evangelist went down to the city of
Samaria, and •preached Christ unto them, and the people with one accord
gave heed unto his message, and there was great joy in that city. "How
beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good
tidings, that publisheth peace!"
And the word of the Lord
came unto Philip— ''Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth
down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, that is desert." A strange command! To
leave the populous city, where crowds listened eagerly to the preaching of
divine truth, and to go to a desolate and desert place! To leave his
useful and blessed work—the multitude of eager listeners, of anxious
inquirers, of young converts, so dependent on him for guidance and
instruction—and to go, whither? Where he could see no prospect of
usefulness. But it is for the Lord to command and send, for the messenger
to obey and go; it is a blessed thing to have a heavenly Master and an
infallible Guide, and to know that in obeying Him we are safe, for His is
the kingdom, and the power, and the glory.
The Meeting.
And now imagine Philip on
the lonely road, thinking and waiting. He looks around him—in the distance
he sees a chariot. It is, doubtless, a man of riches and wealth. "How
hardly shall they that be rich enter into the kingdom of God!" The chariot
comes nearer. He perceives that it is not an Israelite, but a Gentile, an
Ethiopian, one who belongs to a race sunk in darkness and idolatry. But
the Spirit said unto him, "Go and join thyself to this chariot." What a
wonderful meeting is this! Surely this is the hand of the everlasting
Father, who from all eternity hath chosen us in the Beloved, and who, in
His infinite wisdom and power, sends the call of mercy to all who are to
be heirs of salvation.
A Successful Man, yet
Unhappy.
In Ethiopia, at the court
of Queen Candace, there lived a man of great authority, who had the charge
of all the royal treasury. All the pleasures, comforts, and enjoyments
which this world can offer were his. He possessed wealth, rank, influence.
Men pointed him out as a successful man. But if the Spirit of God begins
His work in a soul, all the riches and honours of this world are felt to
be empty and unsatisfactory. The soul thirsts, and whoso drinketh of this
water shall thirst again. The sold seeks goodly pearls, but the pearls of
the world, gay and bright as they look, are not genuine and precious. The
sold seeks a good part, which cannot be taken away.
You ask in what way had God
made the Ethiopian feel this. God has many ways, and many messengers.
Perhaps it was some joyous event, something he had ardently desired, hoped
for, and striven after. It came. His ambition was gratified, his hopes and
wishes were realised. "What his imagination had pictured out to him by
day, by night, now it stood before him. But, after a short time, he said,
''Is this all? I thought this would make me happy—this would fill my soul
with perennial sunshine—would give me peace and tranquillity. But, alas!
it leaves me as before." Or, perhaps, it was some affliction, some bitter
grief, some sore disappointment—the death of a beloved child or trusty
friend, and the question, pent up in every human heart, broke forth—"Oh,
who can shew me where I can find rest and blessedness?"
Broken Cisterns.
He tried, most likely, to
find rest in the worship, the religious doctrines and rites of his
country. He tried, most likely, to dissipate his fears and thoughts. But,
thanks be to God, Samuel may return again and again to his slumber, but
the Lord's voice is heard, until the soul responds—"I will hear what God
the Lord will speak. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the
Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars, and
shaketh the wilderness!"
"What is the matter with
you, dear friend? Be thankful, and leave your melancholy. See how the gods
have prospered you. What desire is unfulfilled? Besides, what a sphere of
usefulness you have! Who so much honoured as you? Conscience—religion!
Well, are you not religious? Who can charge you with injustice and
unkind-ness? Death! The future! Well, can you not rest satisfied in the
opinions of the most learned men of our priesthood, who have studied the
wisdom of the ancients, and devoted themselves to meditation?"
Thus would they speak to
him. But in vain. What can idols, thoughts, surmises, probabilities, human
inventions, what can anything created, offer to a soul seeking life. I
must have truth, not opinions—sunlight, not the fitful phosphorescence of
human imagination—a Living One, even a Father, to forgive, love, and
guide—not cold abstractions, which, after all, refer me to myself as my
helper and saviour.
To Jerusalem!
They have nothing to give
him in Ethiopia; but in Judah God is known. There they declare not what
they think about God, but what God has revealed about Himself. In
Jerusalem stands the temple of the living God. He has heard of it, and his
heart feels irresistibly drawn to it. "What!" say the courtiers, ''to
Jerusalem? What can you expect to find among the Jews? What are they in
politics, in civilisation, in the estimation of powerful nations? Of all
places in the world, to think of Jerusalem!" But though courtiers mock,
and priests frown, and philosophero smile, though friends dissuade, and
the journey be long and tedious, he is resolved—he goes. "As the hart
panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee."
And now behold him in
Jerusalem, in the temple. But in that august and splendid sanctuary ha
found no peace. There he heard the voice of the Law; and while he listened
to the holy, just, and true commandments of God, his conscience testified
that the Law was good, but that he was sold under sin. And all the
indistinct, vague fears and terrors which had been within his soul rose
now before him with awful strength, distinctness, and power. Alas ! in the
temple he heard what was able to smite and crush the proudest oak; but how
to deal with the bruised reed, the priests and scribes understood not.
What he took with him from
Jerusalem, besides a Broken and Contrite Heart.
Thus he returned to
Ethiopia, his wound not healed, though probed—his fears not allayed, but
quickened—his anxiety not removed, but deepened. But, blessed be God, he
brought away from Jerusalem something more than his own feelings. Reader,
from the house of God thou must bring away not merely thy sentiments,
emotions, joys, and fears—they cannot give thee sure peace or lasting
strength,; but thou must take with thee the revealed truth of God—His
testimony concerning eternal life in Christ. Look at the Ethiopian !
Within—uncertainty, terror, anguish; at the same time humility, thirst,
prayerfulness. In his hand —the message of God, bringing light, peace, and
joy. He read the prophet Isaiah aloud, be it in order to take in every
word, or to give an opportunity also to his charioteer and attendant.
The Gospel in Isaiah.
Philip asked him, ''Understandest
thou what thou readest?" (On the word "understand," take the trouble to
compare Matt. xiii. 19, 23, 51.) Mark the humility, the meek and docile
spirit of the great and, probably, well-educated man—"How can I, unless
some one guide me?" And now, reader, admire the wisdom and love of God.
With motherly tenderness He had directed this poor, inquiring child to the
very passage of the Old Testament which, with the greatest clearness and
brightness, sets forth the way of life. In the fifty-third chapter of his
prophecy, the evangelist of the Old Testament describes the Messiah's
sufferings and glory as the ground of the sinner's acceptance with God.
Blessed, precious chapter, how many of God's ancient covenant people have
been led by thee to the foot of Christ's cross!—that cross over which was
written, "Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews!" And oh, what a glorious
commentary will be given of thee when, in the latter days, repentant and
believing, Israel, looking unto Him whom they have pierced, will exclaim,
''Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did
esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
In the verses which the
Ethiopian was reading, Christ is set before us as offered for our
offences, and raised for our justification. We can have no solid peace
until we see Jesus both as the Lamb of God and the Lion—the crucified
Saviour and the exalted Priest-King—in His suffering and in His glory. As
a lamb He was led to the slaughter. Pure, innocent, holy, undefiled, meek,
gentle, perfect in His obedience—so He suffered and died. It pleased God
to bruise Him. He who would not bruise willingly even the most
insignificant worm, who is kind and merciful and tender to all that He
hath made, who doth not afflict willingly, or grieve even the sinful
children of men, it is said of Him, that it pleased Him to bruise the
holy, righteous Jesus, His elect, His servant in whom He delight-eth. Oh,
the infinite love of God—beyond our comprehension, but not beyond our
acceptance and belief, if we seek God's Spirit—that He spared not His own
Son!
And Jesus rose again, and
ascended, and is the Lord our righteousness, our intercessor, surety, and
representative.
A Snare of Satan in
Connexion with this Gospel.
Stop here a moment, and
ponder over these great truths. Jesus is both Lamb and Lion, Saviour and
Judge, the Forgiver of sins and the Judge of sinners. Now Satan tempts us
to think that Jesus is severe, and awful to approach now, whereas he makes
us believe that on that great day Christ will be merciful and indulgent.
Thus the sinner is afraid to meet Christ now, and banishes all fear of the
judgment to come. Whereas the truth is exactly the reverse. Now Jesus is
the Lamb. Be not afraid of going to Him, however guilty and sinful. He has
not a harsh word for a sinner coming to Him now. His whole message is
pardon and peace. What can be more gentle than a lamb? Even the youngest
child will approach fearlessly and confidently, and put its tiny arm round
the neck of the gentle lamb. Thus, O sinner, come boldly to Him whose name
is Jesus, Saviour. But a day is coming when there shall be revealed the
wrath of the Lamb—when the Saviour shall no longer say to His persecutors
and enemies, "I am Jesus;" but will manifest Himself as the righteous
Judge and King, and say to all who rejected and despised Him, "Depart from
me." ''Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when
His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their
trust in Him."
How Faith came by Hearing.
Philip preached Jesus. As
the Ethiopian listened eagerly to the marvellous tidings of joy, new
light, new hope, rose in his troubled heart. He believes the good news,
but still he is anxious to know assuredly that he may appropriate them. He
has heard of Jesus; his earnest desire is now to call Him his Lord. And
therefore as they came to a certain water, he asked, "What doth hinder me
to be baptized?" May I also receive the sign and seal of His covenant, and
be numbered among His people?
What doth hinder thee, O
thou who hast heard not one, but a hundred gospel sermons—what doth hinder
thee to be Christ's? Nothing, as far as Christ is concerned. He came to
seek and save that which is lost. He calleth thee; His offers of pardon
and peace are full and free, kind and urgent, tender and loving ; His work
is finished ; His redemption perfect. What doth hinder thee ! Nothing as
far as thou art concerned. Is it thy ignorance? If thou knowest thyself to
be a sinner, and Christ to be a Saviour, thy knowledge is sufficient. Is
it thy sin? "Christ died for the ungodly;" He calleth sinners to
repentance. Is it thy past ingratitude and contempt of His offered mercy?
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Is it thy
want of repentance? He is exalted a Prince and a Saviour to give
repentance and remission of sins.
What doth hinder?
"Let not conscience bid you
linger,
Or of fitness fondly dream,
All the fitness He requireth,
Is to feel your need of Sim.
This He gives you,—
'Tis the Spirit's rising beam."
And Philip answered, "If
thou believest, thou mayest." If thou believest in the Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, the Divine Saviour of sinners; if thou canst put thy
heart's confidence in Him, thou mayest assuredly receive also the outward
sign and seal of the covenant of grace, in which thou art now living, into
which thou hast entered, even by accepting it with a humble and thankful
heart.
Who was Taken from the
Ethiopian, and who Remained with him.
And after the eunuch was
baptized, "the Spirit," we read, "caught away Philip." This seems a
mysterious dealing of Providence. We may be sure that, though their
acquaintance with each other had been brief, they had begun to love one
another with intense affection. A wonderfully strong and tender bond knits
together the hearts of evangelists and young Christians. Though we have
and love many teachers in the Lord, yet are there not many whom we regard
as fathers who have begotten us in the gospel. Philip was taken away, but
Christ remained. The earthly teacher was removed; but the heavenly
Teacher, even the Holy Spirit, is all-sufficient.
And the eunuch "went on his
way rejoicing." Why should he not rejoice? God has delivered his soul from
death, his eyes from tears, his feet from falling. The burden of guilt is
removed, the clouds of darkness and suspicion are dispersed, his
conscience is at ease, for he knows a just God and a Saviour; his heart
lives, (Ps. xxii. 26,) for it is filled with the love of Christ. Rejoice
and believe are synonyms. If the gospel means glad tidings, then to
believe must needs be to rejoice. But is not our sin great, our faith
weak, our love feeble? True, but we are to rejoice in the Lord, to delight
ourselves in Him, to he glad in the Saviour, and withal to rejoice with
trembling, and to walk humbly with the Lord our God
"He went on his way rejoicing." Though afflictions, trials, and
temptations awaited him in the idolatrous city, in the God-estranged
court, he knew that if Christ died for him while he was yet an enemy, much
more will Christ be his strength, support, and consolation, now when he is
His disciple and follower. Is not faith the victory which overcometh the
world? Is not God a sun and shield? He will give grace and glory; no good
thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.
"He went on his way
rejoicing." This was the history of his life after his conversion. The
believer goes on from strength to strength. Bright and ardent is the joy
of his first love, when, with childlike humility and trust, ho beholds the
crucified Redeemer! "I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love
of thine espousals."
Afterwards we have to
learn, by painful experience, that we are still weak and sinful, and that
there is another law striving within our members ; and we are brought to a
more humble, contrite, spiritual trust in God and the Saviour, and our joy
is perhaps less bright, but not less deep, and holy, and safe. And then we
are led through many waters of affliction, and the word sorrow becomes to
us a reality; and we find that the petition, "Thy will be done," is not a
smooth meadow across which we may easily run, but a steep, rough mountain,
hard to climb. But when the Comforter opens to us the ocean of love, and
tenderness, and sympathy, and strength, laid up for us in Jesus, the Man
of Sorrows; when we realise the fourth Man in the furnace; when wo
embrace, with the faith of Abraham sacrificing Isaac, the Consolation of
Israel,—oh, though it be with tears and a countenance in which the world
sees no mirth, we go on our way rejoicing!
Way of joy, whither leadest
thou? Dark valley of the shadow of death, through thee, and past thee, we
go on our way rejoicing, until we hear the blessed words, "Enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord!"
That perfect joy is ours
where there is no sin within us and no sin around us; where all is purity
and holiness and love to God and God's Beloved; where there is no
temptation to lead us astray, and no fear to cloud our peace; where, with
transfigured and glorious bodies, in the society of holy angels and the
ransomed Church of God, we serve Him day and night in His temple, seeing
Jesus as He is, and inheriting what God has prepared for them that love
Him.
Reader, is Jesus preached
unto thee? Believe, and go on thy way rejoicing. |
