The evangelistic crusade far exceeded anyone’s expectations. Salvations swept across the town of less than 40,000. Signs and miracles astonished the people with the sick healed, the paralyzed, and lame walking. Demonic spirits cried out in loud voices, as they came out of the possessed. Men and women confessed their new faith publicly by water baptism. Even the local witchdoctor was baptized. The news spread all the way back to the missionary’s home country prompting the church leaders to come see all that was happening. They found a city full of joy. After preaching and praying for the new converts, they departed leaving the missionary evangelist to carry on. I have to wonder what went through his mind. “Do I keep the crusade going? Do I establish a church? So many people, what do I do?” Then the Lord sent directions. “I want you to leave this city. I have another place for you to share the Gospel.”
Maybe he thought, “Oh, perhaps another great crusade?” Regardless, Philip followed the leading of the angel of the Lord and traveled 50 miles across the hot desert of Gaza. What he found was one man sitting in his chariot. This was his new audience—quite the contrast from the crowds in Samaria. We do not even know the man’s name, only that he was a eunuch and a high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, returning after worshipping in Jerusalem. We know his position as treasurer had brought him financial security because he was able to purchase an expensive scroll of Isaiah. Problem, he did not understand what he was reading. Following the leading of the Holy Spirit, Philip boldly hopped on the chariot. He explained Isaiah wrote of the Messiah and told him the good news about Jesus. The eunuch believed, Philip baptized him, and he continued on his way back to Ethiopia rejoicing. Scripture says the Spirit of the Lord literally ‘raptured’ Philip away to the city of Azotus.
Two key lessons stand out in this account by Luke. First, the salvation of one man was important enough that God directed Philip away from Samaria where multitudes received Christ, to one lone individual in the desert, the eunuch. We live in an age when ministers place great emphasis on numbers as the gauge of success. In book of Acts Christians can focus on the thousands saved on and after Pentecost or the multitude at Samaria and miss the various ministries to one—God sent Ananias to one man, Saul. Note also, Lydia the seller of purple; the Philippian jailer; Crispus, the synagogue ruler; Cornelius and his household; a small group in Athens.
Second lesson, spiritually you may be like the eunuch, alone in a hot and dry place searching for answers. But the Lord sees your need. Jesus taught that one sparrow does not fall to the ground without God taking note. Don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:30). Jesus compared the Father to a shepherd who leaves his ninety-nine sheep and goes after the one, which is lost until he finds it. When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing (Luk 15:4, 5). One is important to God.
Often the Holy Spirit uses what I am writing to speak to me. That happened about half way through my writing this week. I sometimes become discouraged about these weekly articles. I ask myself, “Does anyone ever read them? Does what I write help people?” Online statistics show people from 81 countries have visited the web site. But, I find myself wondering, “Are these accidental hits? Did they return the next week? Maybe it is hackers.” Then that small voice came, “Maybe an Ethiopian eunuch read it.” Enough said and I went back to writing.
We may never know the result of helping just one person. I spent some time in Ethiopia a few years ago, one of the poorest countries in the world. The word phenomenal falls short of describing what God was doing there. Churches overflowed with new converts because so many were receiving Christ. Hundreds would gather under trees for Bible lessons. Mission organizations prepared young men who then quietly entered adjoining Muslim countries for employment but their main purpose was sharing the Gospel. The national church leaders welcomed us and gave their blessings on our training seminars. They also reminded us they were Christians long before we arrived because they traced their Christian roots back to the eunuch.
I have encountered pastors around the world who feel inferior because they serve in what they perceive as small congregations. I always tell them the median attendance in church is 75 people. Only 2% of churches in America have more than 1000 people and a mere .4% have more than 2000 in attendance. Ministers, who are among the 97.6% of average pastors, must not allow Satan to discourage them. God seeks those who will follow His leading to the one Ethiopian eunuch. But not just pastors; God may assign any Christian to minister to just one person for a period of time.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Numbers are not the gauge of ministry success because one is important to God.