St. Mark’s Lutheran

Readings
Judges 18:16-31
Acts 8:14-25
John 6:1-15

Meditation
Amongst the Samarians there is the man called Simon who was a magician, an imposter. And maybe more than anyone else, imposters know the real thing when the see it. Philip was the real thing. He did miracles, not magic. The miracles were for the purpose of building up Jesus and his church, not building up Philip. Simon on the other hand was about building up Simon as in yesterday’s reading, he was saying he himself was somebody great. The Apostles Peter and John come to Samaria to see the new mission field and the success. It is a visit by ‘the names’. And they bless the work that has been done by laying their hands on it. Verse 16 is a quizzical verse and somewhat contrary to our current thoughts. The modern chruch outside of Pentecostalism has been deeply distrustful of manifestations of the Spirit like speaking in tongues. The early church, so soon after Pentecost and performing miracles, expects them every time. So verse 16, becuase the Holy Spirit had not come upon them yet, they had simply been baptized iton the name of the Lord Jesus. Surely the Spirit was present in those believers. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Spirit had just not ‘come upon’ them yet. Peter and John come to correct that. The Samaritans had the reaction as when a Catholic might have an audience with the Pope, or for a long time in the LCMS if you got to meet Oswald Hoffmann of the Lutheran Hour. The Spirit ‘came upon them’ in that blessing. And it was a blessing for them, not Peter or John. But Simon, he wanted that power for himself - So it is that touch that grants these powers. How much for you to give me that touch as well? It could enhance my business. It could help me. - And the Apostles set him straight. You don’t buy the gifts of God. The gifts of the Spirit are dependent upon having the Spirit which guides into all truth in the first place. The Spirit works when and where he pleases always to build up Jesus and his church. The Spirit is not magic, but miraculous.

May you have those free gifts of the Spirit, especially the saving Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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