Coincidence?

Today I’m thinking about Coincidence.

I’m going to tell a story about a coincidence that happened to me. I think it’s worth recording, but it might seem disjointed and confusing at first. Hopefully it comes into focus by the end..? (smile)

I had recently read a book called “In Search of the Lost Ark of the Covenant” by Robert Cornuke.

If you’re not familiar with Old Testament history, here’s a quick lesson; Over 400 years before Jesus was born, the first temple (Solomon’s temple) was destroyed by the Babylonians, and all the temple treasures that had not been removed in advance were either destroyed or taken away. One of the items most important to Jewish faith was the Ark of the Covenant, including the mercy seat which was made of gold. This was probably not destroyed, because the bible implies that Jesus will use it again during the second coming. So there’s has been a long history of speculation about the lost ark, including Steven Spielberg’s movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.

Before I start the story, here’s a quick personal note about myself – I do my job at a computer, so I can I listen to audio files all day long. I listen to many different types of Christian podcasts and bible studies and interviews and speeches and debates.

Okay, ready?

Once upon a time, I was sitting at my computer and listening to a speech by Bob Cornuke. He’s an explorer who’s been searching for the lost ark, and he said an interesting thing about the Ethiopian Eunuch who appears in the book of Acts, speculating about the possible purpose of his trip to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit took an interest in this situation, too, and directed Philip to get involved. If you’re not familiar with the story, here’s what it says in the book of Acts chapter 8:

Acts 8:26-35 
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

The eunuch, who’s in charge of all the Ethiopian Queen’s treasure, has traveled to Jerusalem, asking for clarification about the sheep led to slaughter?

In the speech I was listening to, Bob wondered if the eunuch was on a mission.
Could the ark have been removed to Egypt for safe-keeping until it was needed again?

Let’s suppose this is true…

When Jesus enters the world, Ethiopia has already been in possession of the ark for many years. Hundreds of years. Then they start hearing stories about Jesus, stories about his healing and teaching and miracles, and wonder if the Messiah has finally come. So what do they do?  They send “a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure” to determine if the reports are true.

So maybe the eunuch was on a mission to decide if it was the right time to return the ark (and the mercy seat) to the rightful owner. But when he gets to Jerusalem, he discovers that the Messiah has been crucified! Can you imagine how confused he would be? When we learn about him, he’s reading the scripture and wondering what it all means. I’m no scholar, but it is fascinating to think that these threads of history might be woven together.

In the meantime, I had started a new reading plan. I had decided to read through the entire New Testament from start to finish, and I also decided to record my thoughts about it as I went along. I had made it as far as Matthew Chapter 3, and I was thinking about John the Baptist. He seems like such an interesting character to me, but Matthew only gave us a few facts about him. Matthew writes:

Matthew 3:1-6 
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'” Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Try to picture it. This wild man is down by the river. Mobs of people are traveling a long way to get to him, even Pharisees and Sadducees are making the journey, and this is before anyone had become aware of Jesus.
At this point in the story I don’t think we even know that Jesus and John are related, but I don’t imagine the two of them plotting this out in advance, or even discussing it.

But let’s get back to my story…

After I finished hearing Cornuke’s speech I was sitting at my computer, and I started searching for something new to listen to. I was browsing the website of the church in California where I became a Christian, and a series called “Studying Scripture” jumped out at me, by pastor Chuck Smith Jr.

Studying Scripture! What could be a more perfect topic, since I had just begun a bible reading plan, right? So I selected it, and guess what he started talking about?
JOHN THE BAPTIST !
I very much enjoyed THAT surprise. Those kinds of coincidences always bring a smile to my face. Anyway, as I continued to make my way through the “Studying Scripture” series, Pastor Chuck mentioned another Four-Part Series hosted by the Teaching Pastor at CBC (his name was John).

So I selected the first message of the four-part series, and would you care to guess what he started talking about?

Yep. The Ethiopian Eunuch!
I could hardly believe it! That seemed a little TOO coincidental for me

But that’s not the end of the story.

I was compelled to write an email to John that very day, outlining my morning.
I just had to share what seemed to be beyond coincidence with someone who might understand.
He wrote me back the SAME DAY, and this is what he said:

-=-=-=-

Jack,

Very nice to meet via e-mail and I’m excited to look over your thoughts and to complete your testimonial regarding this. You see, in addition to my duties as a Teaching Pastor here at CBC, I teach Bible College Classes for Coastland U. This semester I’m teaching Acts (3 unit class – 3 hours/week on Tues.) and we are 8 weeks into it. Do I need to spell out for you what we are covering tonight? Yes, Acts 8 and it continues to be one of the most interesting passages in the NT.

Anyway, thanks for your e-mail and I’ll be considering the thoughts this afternoon.

God bless,

John

-=-=-=-

I think my whole body was tingling as I read John’s email.
I was stunned!
Who could have predicted that he would be teaching Acts chapter 8 that very night?
Using the same bible verses on the same day that I was having this experience?
I hadn’t had any contact with anyone at CBC in six or seven YEARS!
I can’t even put into words how I felt at that moment…

Well, that’s my story of a not-so-typical Tuesday.

It might not be your typical Christian bible story, and I’m sure it means more to ME than it does to YOU, but let me just summarize quickly what I tried to share through this crazy random happenstance:

• Something about my personal life and the journey I’ve started
• A theory on the Ethiopian Eunuch’s experience and purpose
• A bible lesson about John the Baptist
• Encouraging a teaching pastor on the very day he might benefit the most from it
• And maybe an illustration of our interconnection, sometimes declared as mere coincidence, but leading me to wonder how much is actually going on behind the scenes that I’m never even aware of. God works in mysterious ways, right?

Finally, I’d like to share one more thought I had about this experience:

Sometimes when I’m reading the bible, unrelated thoughts pop into my mind, like “Call your mother”, or “wash your clothes”, or “you forgot to do xxx”, or something similar. I used to think this was the dark side trying to distract me from my study time, trying to keep me from learning the truth. I’m not so sure anymore. Maybe God knows it would be good if I called my mother. Maybe it’s good for my peace of mind to keep up with my daily responsibilities; Freeing my mind even more fully and openly for future truth.

Who am I to say?

But on this Tuesday, I was led through a series of experiences that at first seemed totally unrelated, and I could have closed it down by force of will to concentrate on my studies.
I could have said to myself, “No, I’m going to finish this ‘Studying Scripture’ series before I get distracted!”.

But if I had continued on my own path, towards the goal I had set for myself, I would have missed this opportunity. I would never have connected with the other people involved outside my awareness, who also reaped a benefit from it.

So, I’m suggesting that:

• we try to remain open to alternate paths every now and then,
• we trust in the Spirit to lead us through experiences we could never have imagined for ourselves,
• we practice following where He leads, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense.

I’ll cherish the memory of this Tuesday forever.
Thanks for letting me share it with you,
and may God bless you.
Jbro

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