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| The Ethiopian is Baptized |
My name is Sefu, and I was there the day a stranger came running toward my master's chariot on the road to Gaza. I did not know who he was or what had brought him to that lonely stretch of road. But his arrival would change my master's life forever. What appeared to be a chance encounter was something far greater—a meeting arranged by God Himself.
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I had served my master for many years, just as my father had before me. My father had tended the horses and supervised provisions for the household, and when he grew too old for the long journeys, I assumed many of his responsibilities.
My master was a man of great authority, entrusted with the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Yet despite his position, he treated those who served him with fairness. He had trusted my father, and over time, I had earned that same trust.
I knew his habits well, including his devotion to the God of Israel. I had often seen him reading the sacred writings, and I had accompanied him to Jerusalem, where he went to worship.
During our most recent visit, however, I had experienced something I had not shared with anyone in the household.
I had learned about Jesus of Nazareth.
It began when I overheard several men discussing His death and resurrection in a marketplace. Curious about what I heard, I listened until one of the men noticed my interest and invited me to hear more.
I later met with believers who explained the Scriptures and spoke of Jesus as the promised Christ. Their words stayed with me, and before we departed Jerusalem, I had come to believe.
I kept my faith private, uncertain how my master would receive the news. Although I had never spoken to him about Jesus, I hoped that one day he would come to know Him as I had.
We left Jerusalem behind and were making our way along the road toward Gaza.
The morning had been uneventful. The sun was climbing higher, and dust rose beneath the wheels of the chariot as we made our way through the open country.
My master sat reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah. It was a familiar sight, and I paid little attention at first, concentrating instead on the road ahead.
Then I noticed a man approaching us.
He was moving quickly, almost running, his attention fixed upon the chariot. I watched him draw nearer, wondering what business he could have with travelers along such a lonely road.
As he came alongside us, he heard my master reading and called out.
"Understandest thou what thou readest?"
I turned toward him, surprised by the boldness of his question. Few strangers would address a man of my master's position so directly.
But my master did not appear offended.
"How can I, except some man should guide me?" he replied.
He invited the stranger to join him in the chariot.
The man said his name was Philip.
I moved aside as Philip climbed aboard and settled beside my master. The passage before them was one I recognized from my time among the believers in Jerusalem.
"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth."
My attention sharpened. I remembered what the believers had taught me about Jesus, His suffering, and the sacrifice He had made.
My master continued reading before turning to Philip.
"I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?"
I looked toward Philip, eager to hear his answer.
As Philip explained the prophet's words and spoke of Jesus, I recognized the message that had changed my own life. My master gave the stranger his full attention, following the explanation of the Scriptures with great interest.
I watched my master's expression, wondering how Philip's words were affecting him. He asked questions, listened to Philip's answers, and showed no desire to end their conversation.
I remained quiet.
I had prayed that my master might one day hear the message of Jesus. Now, without any effort on my part, a man we had never met was explaining it to him.
The chariot continued along the road as Philip spoke. Around us, the countryside stretched into the distance, and the steady movement of the animals carried us farther from Jerusalem.
After some time, we came upon water.
My master noticed it and spoke to Philip.
"See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"
I looked up sharply.
I knew what baptism meant to the believers I had met in Jerusalem. But I had not expected my master to be one of them.
Philip answered him.
"If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest."
My master's response was clear.
"I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
For a moment, I forgot the heat, the dust, and the long journey still ahead of us.
The man I had served for years, whose habits and responsibilities I knew so well, had confessed his faith in Jesus Christ.
I brought the chariot to a halt while the others attended to the animals. Then my master and Philip stepped down and walked toward the water.
I watched from beside the chariot as my master, a man of great authority, stood beside Philip. He had traveled to Jerusalem with attendants and provisions suited to his position, but none of that mattered as he entered the water.
Philip went down into the water with him and baptized him.
I had witnessed many important occasions during my years of service, but none had moved me quite like this.
When they came up out of the water, Philip was suddenly gone. I looked around in astonishment, searching the road and surrounding country, but there was no sign of him.
My master, however, was rejoicing.
I had seen him pleased before, especially when a difficult matter had been resolved. But this was a joy unlike any I had witnessed in him.
I smiled and gave a small nod.
My master settled into the chariot, still rejoicing as we resumed our journey.
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