November 8.—Morning. [Or September 14.]
“Let us not sleep as do others.”
Acts 20:1–16
THE riot at Ephesus had been quelled by the judicious words of the recorder of the city.
1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
Not as a coward did the apostle flee from conflict, but after all danger was over in Ephesus, he carried the war into other regions. See with what affection he bade farewell to the brethren; embracing them as a father does his children.
2, 3 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came unto Greece, And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (With unwearied energy he laboured to spread the gospel. The words of the historian are few, but we know from the epistles that each day was crowded with work for Jesus.)
4–6 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Paul, having seen his dear Philippian brethren, came over with Luke and joined his seven companions at Troas.)
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (He felt that he should never speak to them again, and, therefore, he prolonged his address.)
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
The place thus became heated, and being very crowded, the air was heavy, and it was not easy for the hearers to keep awake.
9, 10 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep; and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (Remember, if we go to sleep during sermon and die, there are no apostles to restore us. The word of God deserves our wakeful attention.)
11, 12 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 ¶ And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. (A quiet lonely walk of twenty miles suited Paul, it would give him space for prayer and meditation, and help him to shake off some of the depression which had gathered over his mind while he waited at Philippi. Those who labour much for the Lord must have their times of retirement for self-examination, prayer, communion with God, and preparation for future efforts.)
14, 15 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
By these descriptions of Paul’s activity we are taught to be active and energetic for our Lord. We can never do enough for him to whom we owe our all. What are we doing? There is a sphere for each one of us, whether old or young: are we filling it? Are we in earnest, or are we incurring the guilt of unprofitable servants?
Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve,
And press with vigour on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
’Tis God’s all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high;
’Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye.
A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey;
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.
November 8.—Evening. [Or September 15.]
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
THE apostle was hastening to Jerusalem, and as he knew that if he called at Ephesus he would be detained, he chose a ship which did not stop at that port. There happened, however, to be a delay at Miletus, which was twenty or thirty miles from Ephesus.
Acts 20:17–38
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18–21 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22, 23 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28–30 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33, 34 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (The apostle’s inmost heart is seen in this touching farewell. His whole care was for the dear ones to whom his ministry had been useful, but whom he must now leave to be sorely tried. He forgot his own troubles in his anxiety for the converts. What a challenge he was able to give to these elders when he bade them bear witness to his labours and his tears! Such an example could not fail to arouse them to diligence; ought it not to stir us up? Are we living in Paul’s fashion? We owe as much to Jesus as he did. What are our returns? May the Lord make us ashamed of ourselves, and lead us to a great amendment in the matter of consecration to his glory.)
36 ¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him.
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
If the sorrow is so great to part for a while from those whom we love, how much sharper will the pangs be of those who will for ever be parted from their godly friends at the last day! How terrible will it be to be separated eternally! God grant it may not be our lot, for Jesus’ sake.
Come, Christian brethren, ere we part,
Join every voice and every heart;
One solemn hymn to God we raise,
One joyful song of grateful praise.
Perhaps we here may meet no more,
But there is yet a happier shore;
And there, released from toil and pain,
Dear brethren, we shall meet again.[1]
[1] Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (pp. 663–664). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
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