Decisions must be made, but how do we make them—
and to what effect?
Saul grew impatient and desperate waiting for Samuel;
so he took it upon himself to make the burnt offering—
he lived to regret it.
Motivated by mob psychology, the crowd was not to be
mollified with Pilate’s promise merely to flog Jesus; they
demanded crucifixion. We remember with horror.
The Ethiopian eunuch saw an opportunity and seized it.
His decision we remember and celebrate.
God, make us your servants, that our decisions
may be guided by you.
and to what effect?
Saul grew impatient and desperate waiting for Samuel;
so he took it upon himself to make the burnt offering—
he lived to regret it.
Motivated by mob psychology, the crowd was not to be
mollified with Pilate’s promise merely to flog Jesus; they
demanded crucifixion. We remember with horror.
The Ethiopian eunuch saw an opportunity and seized it.
His decision we remember and celebrate.
God, make us your servants, that our decisions
may be guided by you.
Lectionary Readings
Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116
1 Sam. 13:5-18
Acts 8:26-40
Luke 23:13-25
Selected Verses
Ps. 116:16
O LORD, I am your servant;
      I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
      You have loosed my bonds.
1 Sam. 13:8-9
[Saul] waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people began to slip away from Saul. So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the offerings of well-being.” And he offered the burnt offering.
Acts 8:26-40
As [Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch] were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
Luke 23:23
But [the crowd in front of Pilate] kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that [Jesus] should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.
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