The Heathen Ethiopian - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Mark 10:22; Acts 8:39

Two men had come into contact with the Lord Jesus Christ. One of them departed troubled, the other continued his journey rejoicing. Why this contrast?
The first one was a religious person. He was ready to undertake anything to attain eternal life. So he asked the Lord, "Good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus first drew his attention to God's commandments and quoted some of them. The young man assured Him that he had endeavoured to keep them.
Then the Lord replied, "One thing you lack. Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross and follow me" (v.21). At that word from the Lord that rich young man withdrew and went off despondently.
He had been prepared to "earn" eternal life by keeping the commandments. Jesus' words should have made him realise that he would never fulfil that objective. But simply believing in the Son of God, giving Him preference over all his possessions and following Him was too high a price for him to pay.
The other man, a heathen Ethiopian, had been in Jerusalem in search of the true God. He was travelling back home dissatisfied. However, he had purchased a scroll by the prophet Isaiah and was reading it, when God led the evangelist Philip to him. He asked the foreigner: "Do you understand what you are reading?" and then preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to him. The man listened, believed the message and became a happy follower of Jesus.
Today's reading: Proverbs 14:1-18