Value of The One

In this world, numbers mean something, and more is always better. Yet, the Lord doesn’t see numbers, He sees people, and every one of us is valuable in the sight of God. The book of Acts has a perfect example of what I mean in the latter part of chapter 8. Let me lay down a little background on where we are going. It begins with a guy by the name of Philip. Philip was one of the original seven deacons called in the early church. Philip was on fire for the Lord; he had no problem preaching the gospel wherever he went. At the beginning of chapter 8, we see Philip going down to Samaria, to a people the Jews loathed. This did not stop Philip because he knew that all people are precious in the eyes of the Lord. While there, Philip preaches and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, performs many miracles. This is what we call a revival. Many Samaritans were accepting Christ as Savior; it is everything an evangelist would love to be a part of.

Yet, during all of this, the Lord calls Philip to the desert road in verse 26, “But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.)”  The next verse tells us that Philip got up and went. We should take notice that Philip didn’t wait around to get more information. He knew all he needed to know, and he just went. Why is this important to point out? It speaks of the urgency of the gospel being spread. When Philip gets to the road, he sees an Ethiopian eunuch riding in a chariot reading the book of Isaiah. This speaks to the fact that the Holy Spirit was already at work in this man’s life. Philip runs up and asks the man if he understood what he was reading. Of course, the man doesn’t understand he needs someone to explain it to him. This is the scripture the Ethiopian was reading in verse 32-33, “Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth. 33 In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth.” It is in this scripture that Philip was able to explain who the prophet was speaking of and the Gospel that came with the explanation. There are several things that should be pointed out in this text. One, the Lord took a great evangelist away from the masses so that the one may hear and be saved. Two, Philip understood the urgency of the call. And finally, Philip had to get into the chariot to explain the scriptures. As followers of Christ, let us not get so wrapped up in the crowds that we forget the one. Let us also be reminded that the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ is an urgent matter. Lastly, we must get into the chariot no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Remember, there was a time when you were “the one,” and aren’t you glad someone took the time to notice you and your needs?

Let us, as we live our lives, look for the one. So that the glory of Christ may be seen.