“This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”[b]
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8.32-35
I hope you like the irony of today’s title. Knowing that we are talking about eunuchs who neither get engaged or marry! But the engagement is his encounter with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. The eunuch, name not given, had a divine appointment with the Living God.
Let’s talk first about the type of person the Eunuch was in society. I can never record hearing of a eunuch being more than a servant or a officials assistant. Eunuch‘s were typically servants of a Kings Court. Never the king, never the chosen, never a father of children, never a husband of one wife. Eunuchs were indentured servants. They were second class. Men, who had been castrated. Sometimes they would guard or oversee a Harem but never able to enjoy God’s natural gift of sex in marriage or intimacy in this way.
And yet, God saw this man. Today’s eunuch remind me of those who have gender identity issues. Be they gay, transgendered or non-binary. They find themselves fighting against society. Most Christians in most times in history have not accepted this lifestyle or alternative way of living. And whereas I do not agree with the lifestyle, I do believe every person is of sacred worth. No matter how scared or misplaced their decisions may be. And yet, God saw this Eunuch and God sees all who experience these particular orientations.
God loved this eunuch so much that he sent Philip, upon the road that day to interpret the Book of Isaiah to him. Along the road, the eunuch was a man of means even if his life had lost some meaning, and it was there that Philips began to unfold the great mystery of the Gospel. As the eunuch asked, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” And “then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”
No one is exempt from the Good News of the Gospel. Could this passage be any more relevant to our society at present? When people are trying all kinds of things, experimenting with decisions and lifestyles contrary to his Word, God is still willing to reach out and welcomed them into the Kingdom. And the welcoming is not without repentance, as we will see in the story of the eunuch.
The eunuchs’ engagement was an encounter with the God-man Jesus through his servant Philip who went out of his way to bring hope and healing to the hurting. Who is God bringing to your doorstep this very hour? This very moment? Who is God directing into your path that might need a word of hope as they encounter the Word of Life?
Jesus…the Master, the Teacher. The Healer and Helper. He is willing, He is able. He is welcoming of you this day.
“O Lord God, you are so good. I too am a sinner saved by grace. Your goodness running after me! Your power is alive to work wonders in my life. Come now, Holy Spirit, help me find my hope in you. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen