Gaza today
and 140 years ago
Bronze and tin Chariot, 79 AD
found in Pompeii intact
Painted a Bottle Green
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went.
And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked,
“Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: Isaiah 53:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Azotus is 30 Miles
75 miles to Caesarea, 7 day walk
Azotus would be a 3 day walk. Gaza looks fairly dry and coastal, while Azotus is fairly coastal and is much more green. John 6 is about the theory of Relativity and Jesus. The boat was 'immediately' at the other side. Scripture isn't specific, if ... Philip was immediately 3 days away, or Philip is wandering, but not lost.
The times and tides of Scripture say the two people never met again.
Acts 17 describes more the immediacy the Gospels include frequently.
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
It's more remarkable Chapter of the Bible. Discusses a chance meeting, a noble search of Scripture and lives are changed ... by the side of the road. A very today, Guideposts, type of thing. Something that might be in The Book of Ester, about Hadassah, the girl asked to move to a harem.
Of the four Gospels, Philip is prominently in the Gospel of John. Jesus tests Philip (John 6:6) when he asks him how to feed the 5,000 people. Later, Philip is the link to the Greek community. Philip is a Greek name, surely speaks Greek (the most common language at this time and Latin), and knew Greek pilgrims in Jerusalem. He tells Andrew Greek pilgrims wish to meet Jesus, and together they inform Jesus of this (John 12:21). During the Last Supper, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, he provided Jesus the opportunity to teach His disciples about unity of the Father and the Son.
Philip is told to go to Gaza.
Like Abraham, Philip goes. And with Philip's talent, knowing a worldwide Greek language, Philip is gifted to speak to a person reading the Scriptures with questions. A man, like the Church, began to like, those without a wife and divided interests with children, the man wants to know about the links to the future from the Old Testament Bible. Philip is gifted, knowing the answer.
And the man, in the chariot, moves on to the continent of Africa. Trading with other nations.
With a very well remembered visit with a Disciple of Jesus Christ. Who was sent to meet someone. And in these talents God has given Philip,
The Book of Isaiah: "I the LORD have called unto you in righteousness, and have taken hold of your hand, and submitted you as the people's covenant, as a light unto the nations" Isaiah 42:6.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people,
He said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people for God’s own possession,
so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him
who has called you out of darkness
into His
marvelous light.
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world.
A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Acts 26:16-18
But rise and stand upon your feet,
for I have appeared to you for this purpose,
to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things
in which you have seen me and to those
in which I will appear to you,
delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles
—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes,
so that they may turn from darkness to light
and from the power of Satan to God,
that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and a place among those
who are sanctified
by faith in me.
I've always liked the immediacy of the wind, in this passage: John 3:8
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
And there is some of this here. Philip just goes. And goes.
Yet there is comfort of the Holy Spirit:
Of Abraham, going where told. Living his life, open heart, to be used by the Lord as life unfolds.
Relying upon the gifts of God. Finding the talents we know we have to be used by the Lord. Faithful to hear the Lord and act. Then the cloud of unknowing of adventure and not just the same life each day.
This is a theme in Catholic Homilies (we pray we may all be one) and the sermons say, God will give us an opportunity to Bless the Lord. To speak.... and be a light to nations or mankind. We would want the willingness to speak of why the Lord is important in our lives and to our heart.
Abba, Father,
You see all of us. All of us.
You know, no secrets are hid,
all desires known.
Bless us please
with gentle rain
and good weather,
we pray for Maui and Florida to recover
and to be safe from storm damaged land grabbers
and Florida to be safe.
Texas and the middle of the USA
and the Borders and Gulf
to have rain, gently, please.
Dwell in us.
Dwell in those we Love.
Bless our Families with Jesus Christ.
Help us to seek You first.
And in Jesus, we will finish well.
We pray for the healing of Families,
prayers Heard by our Father.
Thank You for the Blessings
You have given us to count
this year.
Thank You, You create a new path
with new hopes
and new expectations.
We are renewed in Our Love
You Place in Us.
In Jesus Christ,
We pray for Your Good Creation.
This Nation
and all Nations seeking Your Son.
Thank You, You Hear our Prayers.
Amen.
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