December 10th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Power in Perspective

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Opening Prayer

Sovereign, Loving Lord, I thank You that this complex, confusing and chaotic world is in Your powerful, good hands.

Read ACTS 8:4-25

[4] Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. [5] Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. [6] When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. [7] With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. [8] So there was great joy in that city. [9] Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, [10] and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.” [11] They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. [12] But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. [14] When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. [15] When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money [19] and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! [21] You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. [23] For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” [24] Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” [25] When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“…whoever want to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matt. 20:26). It’s still a challenge, isn’t it?

Think Further

Simon the sorcerer was a big man around town. People paid him a lot of attention and deference, and probably money, considering how easily he offered money to get what he wanted. Simon operated in a context where true faith in God had merged with the superstitions and apostasy of surrounding nations. People in Samaria even attributed his amazing magic to the power of God.

Then the word of God came to town. When Philip brought the Good News of Jesus and his Kingdom, great joy came as people believed and were healed and released from evil powers. Simon, too, believed and was baptized. The signs and wonders captivated him and he observed happenings that astonished even him. Being at the center of the action possibly energized him rather than threatened his previous career.

Then Peter and John arrived, representing the apostolic headquarters in Jerusalem, and released the Holy Spirit to the new believers. This sparked a covetous idea in Simon’s mind. If only he also could put his hands on people and see God’s Holy Spirit coming upon them! He craved this enough to offer to pay for the power (“Simony” means trade in sacred things). His request made it clear that he had misunderstood the message: spiritual wholeness was a gift from God, not a power to be bought for personal advantage. He needed to go back to the basics of repentance and forgiveness to be part of God’s work of reconciliation and empowerment. The last we hear of Simon is his second request, eerily reminiscent of the fear of Joseph’s brothers that their sinful behavior would be their undoing (Gen. 50:15-21). Unlike them, legend indicates Simon probably chose to ignore the power of forgiveness.

Apply

What’s the practical significance of God’s power in your life? How is it evident?

Closing prayer

Father, forgive me that sometimes I seek to manipulate You. I confess my hunger for recognition. Forgive my selfish, sinful heart.

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