When we moved into our house, we inherited a rose bush. The rose bush was threaded through a trellis. When I pruned it in the autumn, I couldn’t get all the bits out. They looked alright for a short while, but now are dried up and withered. They are no longer part of the bush. Roses only bloom if they are part of the bush, remaining connected to the nutrients coming up through the bush from the soil.
Jesus reminds us that a branch can’t bear fruit by itself. It needs help, support and nutrition. The Ethiopian Official discovered the same in his life. “How can I understand unless someone explains?” He needed help and support if he was going to clearly understand God’s word to him and for him. He couldn’t grasp it by himself. Fortunately for him, Philip was passing by. Even more fortunately, Philip was willing to stop what he was doing and where he was going to help him. He allowed himself to be led by the Spirit, and followed his leading. In reaching out to the Ethiopian, Philip was over coming all kinds of taboos – the man was a foreigner, a convert, and a eunuch – and therefore suspect. But Philip stepped outside his comfort zone, and reached out to him in his need.
The man had questions, and Philip helped him explore them. He took time from what he was doing, and sat with him, talked with him, shared the good news. Because of this the Ethiopian asked to be baptized. Through Philip’s time, care and witness he came to a point of decision and commitment. He couldn’t get there on his own, he needed someone to step out and walk with him. He needed the help, support and nutrition that another could offer. He needed to be, not excluded, but joined to the vine of the fellowship of God’s people. Sharing together what they know of God, walking together in encouragement. Rooted in God, fed by him, but sharing together.
God may ask us to step out of our comfort zone. He may ask us to share with people we’re not sure about. He may have an amazing experience he needs us to share in. We are all joined together in God. We can’t do it by ourselves, we need God – and we need each other.
