Day 178, Acts 20:4-38
We return to the Acts account for the next several days, following Paul and his ministry team as they follow God’s leading and take the gospel to the ancient world.
Let’s review briefly: Paul has been in Corinth, Greece for three months, where he wrote his letter to the Romans. He escaped to Corinth from Ephesus, where his church-planting and preaching had led to riots.
Now he is turning toward Jerusalem, to take an offering of financial aid, not knowing what awaits him there (the plot of the Jews mentioned in verse 3 indicates likely opposition and even death). Paul counts it a privilege to emulate the Lord Jesus, who called him out of religious darkness into the light of God’s love. Jesus also set his face toward Jerusalem at the end of His life.
Rather than traveling directly by sea, Paul decides to travel back around the Aegean Sea through Macedonia, and sails from Philippi to Troas, in Turkey (Asia Minor) with a group of men accompanying him as a bodyguard.
They stay a week in Troas, and on the final Sunday Paul speaks in church for so long that a boy in the youth group, Eutychus (which means lucky!) fell asleep in a window and plunged three floors to his death. This was no hindrance to Paul, who raised the boy from the dead, ate a meal, served communion, and continued preaching until dawn!
The journey continues (you can trace it on this map) and Paul decides not to go through Ephesus (the place where he caused riots) since he is in a hurry to reach Jerusalem in time for Pentecost. Instead, he calls for the elders of the church there and they join him in Miletus.
The rest of this chapter is full of wisdom for anyone in leadership in a church. It is Paul’s heart and priorities in light of the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus. You too are called to lead - I urge you to read this passage several times, underlining every encouragement and challenge, to help you grow in your calling.
Have a great day!
Mark.