Acts 8:14-17 (NRSV)
Read Acts 8:14-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Verse 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit Verse 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Verse 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Devotion
Not long ago I came across photographs from my ordination. The one I like best was taken from the balcony, looking down as the clergy in attendance laid their hands on my head. Those hands – male, female, black, white, old, young … I still remember how heavy, how solemn they felt that day. It was at that moment that the incredible responsibility, the history and privilege of ministry felt most real to me. My life felt as if it had been changed forever.
I wonder how Peter and John’s hands felt to the Samarians they blessed that day? Could those gathered feel the Spirit come upon them? Did they fill with excitement, fear, promise, hope? Did they know their lives would be changed forever through this new relationship with God?
Do you have a moment when you felt your life with God changed forever? How does it affect the way you live?
Prayer
Lord God, touch me with your Spirit and heal me with your love. Change my heart, O God, so that I might be like you in my life. Amen.