Acts 8:26-40
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:
“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.
I’ve been binge watching The Chosen, a wonderful TV production of the lives of Jesus and his chosen disciples. It is so heartwarming to see how desperate people are so deeply blessed by Jesus’ ministry of miraculous healing, exorcism, or teaching. Peter lands a boatload of fish just when he needs it, and follows Jesus. Mary is restored from demon possession by Jesus’ touch. Matthew begins to wonder about his chosen profession as a tax collector. The Chosen is about Jesus’ ministry, but even more about those whom he chose to be his followers.
Here we see three chosen ones. Philip is chosen to bring the gospel message to the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Ethiopian is chosen to be brought to faith and baptized. This is how far will God to to show his love for all people and the breadth of the Gospel promise.
According to Deuteronomy 23:1, eunuchs were not allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord. But here he is, learning of Jesus, being baptized. Rejoicing along his way. A new day has come. And this Ethiopian is chosen to make it clear that all are welcome in the kingdom of God. What a blessed choice!
And what of Philip? He was chosen initially to be a deacon to help with the daily distribution of food. His initial task was not to evangelize. But he is chosen to bring the message of Jesus to this man, and does so with clarity and confidence.
But there is another chosen one. He was chosen before the foundation of time to redeem God’s people. The Suffering Servant of Isaiah had been chosen by God to make all this possible. Announced by Isaiah 750 years prior to Jesus’ birth, God was sending his Servant to redeem us.
You have been chosen by God as well. By his grace he chose us to be holy and precious in his sight. All this by God’s gracious choice.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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