Those Who Know Tell Those Who Don't

Please read Exodus 30-32 and Acts 8 if you're reading through the Bible in a year.

Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. -Acts 8:35 (NIV)

I'll begin this morning's devotional with a joke that I tell all the time. Yes, you've probably heard it but it fits with what I'd like to lift up about today's scripture.

A seminary student was taking a preaching class but absolutely afraid of preaching in front of his peers. When it came his time to preach, he stood up and said, "Do you know what I'm going to say today?" Everyone shook their head, "No," and the student said, "Neither do I. Let us stand for the benediction."

The instructor obviously wasn't satisfied and called on the student again during the next class. He once again began by saying, "Do you know what I'm going to say today?" Having been in class the day before, the other students nodded "Yes." "Good," the preacher said. "There's no use saying it again. Let us stand for the benediction."

Not surprisingly, the instructor wasn't pleased and called on the student a third time. Again the student asked the question, "Do you know what I'm going to say today?" Half of the students shook their head "no" and half of the students nodded "yes." "Good," the student said, "Those who know tell those who don't know. Let us stand for the benediction."

You and I live in a world where at least two generations of people have grown up outside of the church. Most people still claim to believe in God but a surprising number of people are spiritually illiterate. At the same time, people are surprisingly more open to having spiritual conversations than at any time that I can remember.

Today's scripture is a reminder that those who know have a responsibility to share with those who don't know. It's important to note that Philip met this Ethiopian official on his turf and on his terms. He noticed that the official was reading from the book of Isaiah so he used that passage as the starting point to introduce the man to Jesus. Philip allowed the official to frame the conversation and ask questions. The Ethiopian responded by being baptized and went on his way rejoicing.

May God grant you the grace today to share what you know with people who don't know. May God reveal to you how to meet people where they are and may God empower you to share the good news in a way in which people can receive it, respect it, and respond to it. And may you all go away rejoicing.