Category: Mission (Page 2 of 26)

After the battle, Joab sent two runners racing back to King David to inform him of the outcome. One of the two runners is referred to simply as “the Cushite.” Cush encompassed what is present day Ethiopia, a region that produces world-class runners year after year. If the Olympics do indeed occur this summer, Ethiopians will win medals in several of the distance races.

Roughly 1,000 years later, on the dusty road between Jerusalem and Gaza, another Cushite, in this case identified as an Ethiopian, sat reading the scriptures. The Holy Spirit sent Phillip the evangelist to explain the meaning of the words he read. After hearing the good news about Jesus, the Ethiopian eunuch committed his life to Christ and went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8).

The Ethiopian church traces its long history back to this eunuch. He carried the message he heard from Phillip home to his people, and spread the gospel among all who would listen.

Two Cushites, two messangers of good news. One ran to a king with news of victory. The second ran to inform his nation that hope exists in the person of Jesus Christ.

I am privileged to know Ethiopians—modern day Cushites—who serve as missionaries and pastors throughout Africa and the world.

Still running—and still delivering good news.

2 Samuel 18 & Acts 8 in week twenty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Jeremy Lapak

Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, employed Paul in their tent-making business in Corinth. As they sewed flaps, Paul instructed them in the faith. A year or so later, they sailed with Paul to Ephesus. After Paul left again, they stayed and heard a brilliant, yet unschooled, young preacher names Apollos.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited Apollos into their home and explained the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26).

And so the faith spread. More experienced followers of Jesus have been explaining the way of God to newer followers ever since. While this may not sound unusual, the work Priscilla and Aquila did with Apollos marked a major milestone in Christianity.

Charismatic leaders launch all sorts of initiatives, be it religious, political, social, or educational. Often, these movements die with the passing of the founder. Or perhaps the first generation of followers keeps the torch lit, but enthusiasm and commitment soon fizzles.

Priscilla and Aquila were second generation Jesus followers. They never met or listened to Jesus in person. Neither did Apollos. These three heard the gospel, embraced the gospel, and propagated the gospel all apart from the author of the gospel.

It’s said a generation spans roughly 25 years. If so, we are 80 generations into the Christian faith. Just as Paul and Priscilla and Aquila and Apollos spread their faith and knowledge, it’s now our time to pass the baton.

May generation 81 prove to be the best one yet.

Week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Jonathan Chng