Learning Who We Really Are

Acts 8:1b-13

Sometimes even the most faithful of believers can struggle with how he or she fits into the life of the community. Rare are the individuals who can come to see themselves in a new light and willingly, graciously accept that new understanding. Perhaps Simon the magician can give us the needed perspective.

When a great persecution erupted against the church in Jerusalem Philip, one of the newly ordained deacons from Acts 6, made his way to Samaria. There Philip shared the good news and did many signs for the people. As Acts tells us, “…When they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon (the magician) himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place” (Acts 8:12-13). Keep in mind that up until this time Simon had been considered a great man in Samaria, someone with tremendous gifts. But when the truth of the gospel was revealed to him he set aside his status and became one of the believers, amazed by what Philip was doing, and listening to Philip’s teachings.

I respect Simon for what he did because I know how challenging it can be. Simon let go of his old life and accepted a new reality for himself. Once we’ve lived with certain expectations it is very difficult to see ourselves differently, especially if we sense we have lost status or esteem. In fact, it is even difficult for the community as a whole to reconsider its place in the world, to let go of old ideas about prestige and accept a new role that God holds out. Simon, then, is a compelling figure for us to consider, a man who let go of who he was and embraced the gospel as good news. It would serve us well to follow in Simon’s footsteps, as individuals and as a community, always striving to accept the new thing that God is doing, even if it means letting go of who we once were.

Prayer: Gracious God, give us the strength to trust you and to live out the calling you have given us, that your gospel might bear good fruit in the world. Amen.