The Priceless Gift
Acts 8:9-25
9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practised magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great….11 they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But 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. 13 Even Simon himself believed….
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit…17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20 But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ 24 Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.’
25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
This story is about the source of spiritual power. In Samaria there was someone who appeared to have spiritual power, Simon, who by magic and great oratory had developed a following. When Philip, who had fled from Jerusalem, arrived in Samaria and started to preach the good news about Jesus, the crowds that had followed Simon believed the message Philip was preaching about Jesus. Even Simon believed in Jesus. The truth of the story of Jesus will always draw people, it is more compelling than any other spiritual narrative human beings might tell. Even Simon, the spiritual guide, recognized the true story when he heard it.
Peter and John came to Samaria from Jerusalem to see what was going on. They also laid hands on the followers of Jesus giving them the Holy Spirit. While Simon had decided to follow Jesus, he had not fully figured out how the Christian life was to be lived. Simon thought he might be able to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, and the ability to give it to others. Peter tells Simon that Simon is wrong, the Holy Spirit is a gift from God, a gift that cannot be bought. Peter speaks strong words against Simon’s view. We are reminded that the grace of God is not something that can be bought – it is a gift. But that does not mean it is cheap. The good news of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are priceless, that is how valuable they are, but they are freely given.
We are invited to trust that the good news of Jesus is enough in itself to draw people, his story is the source of salvation for us and for everyone in the world. This gift, valuable beyond measure, is freely given, God’s gift to all people.
PRAYER:
God of grace and truth, we rejoice that the good news of Jesus can be trusted above all the competing voices and words that are around us. Deepen our trust in you. We thank you that you have given this good news to all people, your gift for all humanity. For only through that good news can the world be saved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.