I had a fascinating experience a few years ago on an extended ministry trip with my wife that took us around the world. We were at the home of the Director of Sri Lanka Youth for Christ, together with his wife and some other long-time friends.
After dinner we caught up on all God had done over the years. Then the Director asked if I would share something from God’s Word. I was glad to and told them I’d be reading from 2nd Thessalonians 1. Ajith asked if he should get Bibles for everyone. I said, “No. I’ll just read verses 11-12, and share a few thoughts on it.
I started sharing, when all of a sudden he jumped up and almost ran to another room to fetch his Bible. He brought it back and turned to the portion I was teaching from. Excitedly he remarked, “I’ve studied that portion many times and never noticed the point you are making!”
It was as though I was in the city of Berea mentioned in the book of Acts 17:10-11. He, like the Bereans, proved himself to be of noble character, having received teaching with great eagerness he wanted to examine the text in his Bible to see whether it was true. No wonder he became a premier Bible teacher, in demand at international conferences all over the world. What an example of enthusiasm for God’s Word.
It’s not often I’ve seen such a genuine excitement about something fresh to him from God’s Word. It was an inspiration to me to listen carefully whenever God’s Word is read or taught.
