Acts 20 Pauls journey continues to heat up. Dramatic turns of events, as Paul travels from one region to another, encouraging the believers. I smile when I think about Paul being a little long-winded with his sermon in vs. 7-9 .. this happens, right? But here as the man crashes down to the ground and dies. But Paul walks out, hugs the guy and just like that the man is alive again. Dramatic events. Then Paul reminds the people of Ephesus how deeply he loves Jesus and serves the Lord. How he has declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God and repent and have faith in Jesus (vs. 21) He knows God is leading him to go to Jerusalem and that hardship and prison faces him ... and then Paul says the most beautiful statement, one that we would do well to hold tight to. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of Gods grace. These are Pauls emotionally-gripping powerful parting words to his friends at Ephesus. Can you see the tears in the eyes of the people ... and in the eyes of Paul? He commits his friends there to God and to His word ... and he talks about the inheritance these believers will have because of their faith. And as he leaves these friends, there is a great amount of weeping and sorrow. Paul knows - and he has explained - that he wont see them again. Isnt this the way it is when we say goodbye to someone for a long time ... at an airport or the beginning of a mission trip or even at a cemetery. Goodbye is hard. Its a long time from this world to the next, and God understands this. One thing that stands out to me ... we dont always know when the last time comes for us to see someone we love. So lets take a lesson from Paul and be encouraging to those around us. Thats how we show them Jesus!
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 02:23:20 +0000
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