Some Are Born As Eunuchs

I've been reflecting on the story of Phillip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch. (See Acts 8:26-40.) The main character in this story was someone deemed unacceptable to the religious community. Indeed, according to Deuteronomy 23:1, he should "not be admitted to the assembly of God". Yet, the Holy Spirit drove Phillip to be by this eunuch's side as he tried to understand scripture. Phillip explained the passage of scripture through the lens of Jesus Christ. After doing so the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?". Immediately Phillip baptized the eunuch. There was nothing to prevent him from being baptized. He was perfectly acceptable to God just as he was.

I see a parallel with today's confusion over the inclusion of homosexuals within the fold of Christianity. The eunuch was an outsider simply because of his sexual identity. In Christ he became an insider. His sexual identity didn't change, but his relationship to a spiritual community changed. Jesus did that.

I believe that Jesus still does that. Yesterday I found something fascinating through the Metropolitan Community Church. It was a discussion about Jesus and homosexuality. I'd always thought that Jesus never mentioned it. Perhaps I've been wrong. Listen to these words of Jesus from Matthew 19:11b-12.

"Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."

Jesus lists three types of eunuchs:
1) Those who choose to be eunuchs for religious reasons. This sounds like celebacy.
2) Those who were made eunuchs by others. This was not uncommon in the ancient world.
3) Those who have been eunuchs from birth. Perhaps this was a first century way of understanding homosexuality. Some writings from the Metropolitan Community Church suggest that this is the case. Frankly, it sounds reasonable to me.

Notice that Jesus does not condemn any of those three types of eunuchs. Neither does he say that one type is better than another. Further, he begins and ends this statement with the recognition that this teaching won't be something that everyone can accept. History has proven that people have a difficult time accepting homosexuality. Apparently Jesus does not have this difficulty.

Jesus says, "Let anyone accept this who can". I believe I will do the best I can to accept this. Maybe you will join me.