In The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 8, we hear of the account of St. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. This is a wonderful text that helps guide both pastors and layman alike in what the point of the ministry is all about. For St. Philip went up to the Eunuch and asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."  The Ethiopian invited Philip to join him, to guide him in his understanding of the Scriptures and his confession of the Faith. God called and sent Philip to guide the Ethiopian and open his eyes to who the bible is all about.

For the Eunuch was reading from Isaiah the prophet the words, "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth." "And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus." St. Philip didn't point the Eunuch to his own good works, to the traditions of his ancestors, nor did he point him to a system of piety and penance in the church to clarify the words of the prophet. NO. Starting there, and going deeper, Philip told the Eunuch the Gospel, the good news about Jesus, and showed him the way of Salvation which is found only in the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus the Christ. Philip taught the eunuch about Jesus, and more than this, taught him that Jesus died for him, rose for him, and did all this to claim him as his own child. This is why, when they passed by the body of water, the Eunuch petitioned Philip to baptize him, and Philip did so. The Eunuch was baptized and Philip went on preaching the gospel where and when God told him to do so. Philip revealed Jesus to the Eunuch, baptized him, and sent him on his way in joy and peace with the knowledge that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior.

Your pastors job is to do the same thing that Philip did for the Ethiopian Eunuch. He is called and sent where God desires him to do the work of the ministry. And the work of the ministry is to preach the Gospel, distribute the sacraments, that all may obtain justifying faith that saves. The pastor reveals the meaning of the entire Holy Scriptures in that they are all about Jesus for you, for your salvation. The pastor points you to the mercy of Jesus, His forgiveness, and His love for you by preaching Christ crucified, love that covers a multitude of your sins. No matter your sin, Jesus assumed it on the cross. There is no sin that Jesus did not die for on the cross for you. Don't doubt this, just look at Holy Scripture and see that Jesus died for Rahab the Prostitute, David the Adulterer,  Peter the Denier, Thomas the Doubter, Saul the Persecutor, Judas the Betrayer, Barabbas the murderer, Nicodemus the Timid, the Ethiopian Eunuch, and He died for you and whatever sin comes with you. The good news for you is that Jesus is your advocate and defender, He is the one that can either condemn you or save you, and His wills and desires nothing more than to save you and claim you forever as His beloved. Take heart then, you who are loved by God, for all good things have been won for you on the cross and are handed over to you in the means of grace. Your pastor's job is to hand Jesus over for you, for your forgiveness, and his delight is to do this and send you away in joy and peace.

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you. I claim you forever" Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull