“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, …I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardship are facing me. 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 God’s grace.
Acts 20: 22-24
It was springtime in Troas. The misty breezes that swept across the Aegean Sea were like the tears that Paul had silently wept for the churches for which he had so long labored, as he sailed for his own inexorable end.
Corinth still weighed heavy on Paul’s heart. Very strong opposition had arisen to Paul’s status as their apostle. In his last days at Ephesus, Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church that confronted the opposition directly, and was sent by way of Titus. He had hoped to hear back from Titus when they departed Troas, but no such luck. However, it was in Macedonia that Titus finally was able to bring Paul “the joyous news that the letter had its desired effect, the offenders had been disciplined and the church had become reconciled to Paul! “, Polhill teaches us in his commentary of Acts. Paul wrote in his second letter to Corinth : “For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, …conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast , comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by coming but also by the comfort you had given him…..Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it….. because your sorrow led you to repentance.”
2 Cor.7: 5-7,8-9
Paul’s departure from Troas was all the more memorable when Eutychus was raised from the dead. It happened that Paul was speaking to the people just the night before. After breaking bread with them, Eutychus, a young disciple who wanted to hear the apostle speak and secured a seat on the window sill. The hour was late, and Eutychus after awhile, was overcome with sleep and fell from his perch three stories up. Dr. Luke was present and very likely declared him dead. But Paul threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed!” Paul said. “He’s alive!” Then they broke bread and talked until daybreak. How like the Holy Spirit to give His imprimatur of resurrection power to His apostle!
They sailed from Troas to Miletus, a five day journey, putting into port each night. From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. It was the last time he would see them and he had some parting words that he would like to leave with them:
Leadership by example. “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.” (20: 19)
Inclusiveness of the message. “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (20: 21)
Finish the race and complete the task. (20: 22-24)
Words of caution. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit had made you overseers….I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among and will not spare the flock…..So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (20: 28-31)
When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was Paul’s statement that they would never see his face again.
After they had torn themselves away from them, they put out to sea straight to Cos (now called Kos). They eventually made the 400 mile journey from Patara to Tyre, in Syria, under favorable winds. It was just 75 miles from Tyre to Caesarea, where they stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist. It is ironic the way history seems to recapitulate itself. It has been over twenty years since the death of Stephen, and his friend Philip is now host to the one who approved his murder. But that “old” man (Saul) is dead and in his place the apostle Paul, friend and brother. During their stay , they were visited by the prophet Agabus of Judea. He took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says in this way the Jews will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” Then answered Paul,”I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” You must finish your course. Run your race.
Questions To Think About:
Acts 20: 22-24
It was springtime in Troas. The misty breezes that swept across the Aegean Sea were like the tears that Paul had silently wept for the churches for which he had so long labored, as he sailed for his own inexorable end.
Corinth still weighed heavy on Paul’s heart. Very strong opposition had arisen to Paul’s status as their apostle. In his last days at Ephesus, Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church that confronted the opposition directly, and was sent by way of Titus. He had hoped to hear back from Titus when they departed Troas, but no such luck. However, it was in Macedonia that Titus finally was able to bring Paul “the joyous news that the letter had its desired effect, the offenders had been disciplined and the church had become reconciled to Paul! “, Polhill teaches us in his commentary of Acts. Paul wrote in his second letter to Corinth : “For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, …conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast , comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by coming but also by the comfort you had given him…..Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it….. because your sorrow led you to repentance.”
2 Cor.7: 5-7,8-9
Paul’s departure from Troas was all the more memorable when Eutychus was raised from the dead. It happened that Paul was speaking to the people just the night before. After breaking bread with them, Eutychus, a young disciple who wanted to hear the apostle speak and secured a seat on the window sill. The hour was late, and Eutychus after awhile, was overcome with sleep and fell from his perch three stories up. Dr. Luke was present and very likely declared him dead. But Paul threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed!” Paul said. “He’s alive!” Then they broke bread and talked until daybreak. How like the Holy Spirit to give His imprimatur of resurrection power to His apostle!
They sailed from Troas to Miletus, a five day journey, putting into port each night. From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. It was the last time he would see them and he had some parting words that he would like to leave with them:
Leadership by example. “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.” (20: 19)
Inclusiveness of the message. “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (20: 21)
Finish the race and complete the task. (20: 22-24)
Words of caution. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit had made you overseers….I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among and will not spare the flock…..So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (20: 28-31)
When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was Paul’s statement that they would never see his face again.
After they had torn themselves away from them, they put out to sea straight to Cos (now called Kos). They eventually made the 400 mile journey from Patara to Tyre, in Syria, under favorable winds. It was just 75 miles from Tyre to Caesarea, where they stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist. It is ironic the way history seems to recapitulate itself. It has been over twenty years since the death of Stephen, and his friend Philip is now host to the one who approved his murder. But that “old” man (Saul) is dead and in his place the apostle Paul, friend and brother. During their stay , they were visited by the prophet Agabus of Judea. He took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says in this way the Jews will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” Then answered Paul,”I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” You must finish your course. Run your race.
Questions To Think About:
- Paul faced heavy opposition in Corinth but pushed through the discomfort to address it. When has a difficult conversation in your own life ultimately led to healing and reconciliation?
- Paul considered his own life “worth nothing” compared to finishing his race. What earthy comforts, reputations, or securities are you holding onto that might be hindering you from fully committing to God’s plan?
- Paul warned the Ephesian elders to “keep watch over yourselves and all the flock.” In what areas of your spiritual life do you need to be more on guard against subtle, negative influences (‘wolves”)?
- Paul’s long sermon was interrupted by a tragic fall, yet it became an opportunity for God’s resurrection power. When has an unexpected crises or major interruption in your life actually set the stage for God to display His power?
- The devotional notes the irony of Paul staying with Philip—the friend of Stephen, whose murder Paul (Saul) had approved decades earlier. Is there anyone from your past whose growth, change, or redemption still surprises you?
Posted in Finish The Race