the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 20:1-16
The hostile demonstration at Ephesus led Paul to leave that city (cf. Matthew 10:23). After having arrived in Greece via Macedonia, he goes back by the same way and lands at Troas. The account which follows (vv. 7-12) confirms to us that the breaking of bread was celebrated, as today, on the first day of the week. We may be shocked at Eutychus falling asleep during the apostle’s preaching. But does not Paul speak to us when we read his epistles? What attention do we give him? The terrible accident which takes place shows us, in a moral sense, where indifference to the Word can lead, particularly in a young person: to a downfall and a state of spiritual death. But the grace of God grants a comforting miracle here.
This scene also reminds us, by analogy, of the history of the Church and its responsibility. Its sleep, its ruin, its apparent death result from a lack of attention to the apostle’s teaching. Yet the Lord has allowed an awakening followed by spiritual nourishment and comfort for His own, while they wait for the dawn of the great day of the Lord’s coming.
Paul leaves Troas on foot (v. 13 – let us emphasize the benefit of a walk alone with the Lord). He rejoins his companions at Assos where they sailed again to Jerusalem.
