On his way rejoicing

Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. – Acts 8.39

The Ethiopian seeker came to desert confused and lost. He was searching for somethings – and he found it when Philip came to meet him. Philip preached Jesus, the man received the message, believed, was baptised, and then, when Philip was ‘caught away’ the man went on his way rejoicing.

True joy, deep, abiding, perfect, and eternal joy is God’s desire for the world. We are not too far from Christmas. Once again we will hear the words of the angels as they announced Messiah’s birth ‘behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

This time the message was not a crowd of people. It was not to thousands or hundreds or tens. It was a message for one lone Ethiopian on a task for his queen.

But the result was the same. He was seeking, God sent messenger who charged the gospel, the man was saved and baptised.

And he went home rejoicing.

The gospel received always brings great joy. We have to source of that joy. Are you and I faithful in carrying that wonderful message of joy?