Gleaning from the Past (3)

In Acts 1:8, the risen Lord told His disciples to witness to all people starting from Jerusalem and going to the end of the world. The disciples heard it all right. They waited for the endowment from above. They were baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. They were zealous to testify about the risen Lord. Yet, it seems many of these disciples found it difficult to reach those who were in the far countries. That is, after witnessing to people in Jerusalem and Judea, many of these disciples remained there. They did not go out as it had been stated that “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8NIV). If in peace we will not work to achieve God’s will and purpose for our very lives, why won’t He send affliction on us? When the disciples felt hesitant going to Samaria and other parts of the world, the Lord sent affliction to His church. They were persecuted, which led to the first martyr in the Christian religion called Stephen.

It was during this persecution of the church that many believers fled to outer parts of the world. Some went to Samaria. Philip the evangelist is known for his evangelist work in Samaria. Simon the sorcerer was in Samaria, and he was a miracle worker. Due to that, the people in Samaria had concluded that “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power” (Acts 8:10NIV).  Other versions say that “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” If it weren’t for persecution, these innocent, gullible, and ignoble Samaritans would have been deceived into thinking that they were experiencing the real power of God. They have already concluded that Simon who is called the sorcerer was from God. Through persecution, Philip the evangelist who earlier served as deacon went to this city with the gospel. The people were in dire need of the message of the cross. It was far too long that the Samaritans had been neglected from receiving such spiritual nourishment. The Samaritans were not pure Israelites. In 722 BC, when the Assyrians took the 10 tribes to captivity, they left the weak, poor, and vulnerable people on the land. Apart from that, the Assyrians also brought foreigners into the land of the 10 tribes. This suggests that those who were pure Israelites remaining on the land were the weak, vulnerable, and poor ones. They mingled with the foreigners. It was for this reason that their fellow Israelites who were in the South abhorred them and even called them detestable.

Though in time past they were neglected from receiving spiritual nourishment, due to the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ, they were once more partakers of this blessing. Even though this was the basic truth, those who were supposed to bring this liberating truth to their souls were hesitant to leave their comfort zones. However, when God sent persecution to the church, they scattered and spread the good news. This was a blessing in disguise. Surely, the wisdom of God is deep and far-reaching. His purpose, no one can thwart, and His will, no one can confuse it. He knows how to achieve His will and purpose. He said His disciples will be a witness in all the world, so He saw to it that it happens. It was through persecution that the gospel reached the Samaritans who were half Israelites and Gentiles.

Sometimes, we doubt God’s promises for our lives. We question how He will fulfill what we are convinced is His will and purpose for our lives. Reading the biblical text gives us hope to rely on and put our hope and confidence in God. It is the Lord alone who turns persecution into a blessing. He did it, and the gullible Samaritans were nourished spiritually. He knows how to achieve what He has said about our lives. We will also then say with the composer of the famous Hymn, “It is well with our souls.” Regardless of what happens, we know that we have someone who is Omnipotent working behind the scene for our good. He is orchestrating and directing our footsteps. Let us trust Him. May God’s purpose for His church and our lives come to pass. Soli Deo Gloria

Michael Yaw Tano

tanomichael65@gmail.com

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