The Healing Jesus: An Advent Devotional to Encourage Anybody and EverybodySample

PHILIP: THE ONE WHO WAS SENT TO THE FRONT LINES

I'm Philip, a follower of Jesus. I'm happiest when talking about Jesus, preferably to people you would least expect. That is why I was so excited when we heard the final words of Jesus.

Right before his ascension, Jesus sent us on a mission to bring the good news to the world. I was anxious to get going! There were so many people and so little time. But right away, I was nominated as one of the seven deacons to minister to the Christians of Jerusalem. It was an honor to be selected because they said we had to be of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom. To be seen as those things by the twelve was undoubtedly thrilling. It was not an easy time for me.

Don't get me wrong! I loved the enthusiasm of that church. It's just that I felt called to the front lines to preach to those farthest away from the faith. We held down the fort so the apostles could go on mission trips, but staying put was hard for me.

It drained me as we began having the nitty-gritty conversations about Christian church life and all the details. I was faithful with my appointment, but when the opportunity came for me to go to the Samaritans, the hated in-breeds who used to be Jews, I jumped at the chance.

God worked in the hearts of the Samaritans. Even Simon, the magician who was into pretty dark stuff, believed the good news about the kingdom of God. He was baptized and believed after seeing the signs and miracles I performed in Jesus's name.

One day, an angel told me to go down the desert road to a specific spot. I went, not knowing what was waiting for me. I met an Ethiopian eunuch who was an important official. He was interested in Jesus but had no idea where to start. I rode with him and explained the prophet Isaiah and his predictions about Jesus. At the end of our conversation, the eunuch even asked to be baptized. Amazing! Those are the moments I live for.

Sometimes, we have to serve faithfully and quietly. Sometimes, it is exciting and fun. But in both, Jesus is with us.

Jesus is healing the lost and will go to the farthest places with you.

Questions for Talk it Over:

1. What did the Spirit call Philip to do?

2. What do you do when you don't understand something in the Bible or from a pastor?

3. Who can you go to that will require you to take a journey like Philip?