Jump Start # 679

Acts 8:9 “Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.”

Luke, the writer of Acts, follows the scattering of the brethren who left Jerusalem because of persecution. Luke first follows Philip to Samaria. Great things will happen there. Philip preaches Christ and men and women alike are baptized.

We are introduced to Simon, commonly known as Simon, the sorcerer. Simon was a local celebrity. He preformed “magic art” and astonished the people. Many claimed he had the power of God. Under the O.T. witches, sorcerers and those that communicated with the dead were condemned by God. Israel was not to get involved with those things.

Simon thought he was a big shot. He played it up. People were impressed and helped encourage that mostly with his attitude. He “claimed to be someone great.” Some are great and they don’t have to make that claim. Simon was not one of those.

Simon hears about Philip. He comes and hears the gospel. He, too, believes. Simon is baptized by Philip. Simon is amazed at the miracles that Philip is doing. The one who amazed others is now amazed. Much of the “magic” that Simon did was fake. Some involved drugs and potions. He’s not seeing that with Philip. He is seeing things he could never do.

When Peter and John come to Samaria, Simon saw that it was through the apostles’ hands that others were able to perform miracles. Simon liked that. He wanted that. Just think of the power and prestige he could have if people had to come to him. This could easily become a cash cow for Simon. He offered to buy this power from the apostles. Peter immediately rebuked Simon saying that he was wrong for thinking he could buy the gift of God and that his heart was not right with God.

Simon was a new Christian, but there’s something that doesn’t seem to have been converted in Simon’s heart, and that was his ego. Pride trips a person and it’s an attitude that God will not tolerate. Some people will do anything to “be great” in the eyes of others, even in religion. Some will preach for the satisfaction of the praise that people give them. Such preachers quickly becomes the ones that tickle ears rather than preaching the truth. Some will do a nice deed for others so they get some public recognition. Simon thought he was someone great.

Pride will keep a person from admitting wrong. It’s hard for a proud person to apologize. Pride is quick to find excuses, blame others and find a way to come out looking good. It’s hard for a proud person to ask for help. Pride keeps one standing when he ought to be on his knees. A proud person sees himself better than others. Pride has a hard time relating to others.

When we look at many of the things the Pharisees said to Jesus, pride seems to be there in the background. They fussed at what He did. They complained about where He came from. They didn’t like what He said. They fought Him about doing things on the Sabbath. These were not independent or separate thoughts. They were proud hearts that could not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Simon was just the opposite of Jesus. The Lord was humble. He said those that are first, would be last, and the last would be first. Poor Simon wanted to be first in the worst way. Like many of the disciples he would have loved to engage in the debate about who was the greatest. Some how Simon’s name would have made that list, if he was there with them.

Simon’s spirit still lives. There are those who are more interested in making a name than a difference. Some will sell themselves cheap if it gets them to the top. Some will engage in wrong, illegal, immoral and unethical behavior if it will accomplish what they want. Athletes have been found guilty of taking illegal substances to give them an edge. Others have found ways to break the rules so they could win. Winning, being on top, was more important to them than their character. This happens in business, real estate, sales, and sadly, in politics.

Actor James Cagney played a gangster in the 1949 movie, “White Heat.” Several times throughout that movie the expression, “On top of the world” is used. It’s what he was seeking. The movie ends with Cagney being blown up on top of a huge oil container. He was on top of the world.

I don’t know if Simon ever learned. I don’t know if he quit trying to “Be someone great” and started to follow someone who is great—Jesus Christ. Big shots in the church usually make things messy for everyone else. Those who want to be great miss it. It’s been said that the reason most church buildings have double doors on the front is to get the preacher’s head through it. After a Sunday sermon, the preacher might start thinking he’s “someone great” when he is simply a servant of God.

Many of us have to fight the Simon that is in us. The more Jesus is in us the less room and reason exists for a Simon.

Roger