Sunday, January 12, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Acts 19-20
Key Verse
Acts 19:40 — “For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.”
Devotional Thought
Paul comes to Ephesus and finds twelve disciples whose faith is real but incomplete—they had been baptized unto John’s baptism, knowing repentance but not yet the power of the risen Christ. When Paul lays hands on them, the Holy Ghost falls, and they speak with tongues and prophesy. From that small beginning, Paul teaches boldly in the synagogue for three months, then daily in the school of Tyrannus for two years, until all Asia hears the word of the Lord. God works special miracles by his hands; handkerchiefs and aprons carry healing to the sick. Yet the same city that saw demons flee and false exorcists routed—the seven sons of Sceva fleeing naked and wounded—also saw silversmiths rise in wrath when the gospel threatened their trade in shrines of Diana. The theatre fills with two hours of chanting, and Paul’s friends must hold him back from rushing into the mob.
What strikes the heart is Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus. He kneels in the dust and tells them he will see their faces no more. He has kept back nothing profitable, teaching publicly and house to house, testifying repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. He goes bound in the Spirit toward Jerusalem, not knowing what awaits except bonds and afflictions—and none of it moves him, so long as he may finish his course with joy. He warns of grievous wolves and of men arising from their own number speaking perverse things. Then he commends them to God and to the word of His grace, reminding them of Jesus’ words: it is more blessed to give than to receive. They weep, fall on his neck, and kiss him, sorrowing most of all that they would see his face no more.
In January, when the year stretches before us like an unmarked road, we do well to consider what it means to finish a course with joy. Paul did not know the future, but he knew the One who held it. He served with humility and tears, warned night and day, worked with his own hands, and loved the flock enough to tell them the truth. That is a portrait of faithful ministry—whether we preach from a pulpit or simply live before our families and neighbors.
The Ephesian bonfire of costly books, the uproar in the theatre, the young man Eutychus restored alive after falling from the third loft—all of it testifies that the word of God mightily grew and prevailed. The same word still prevails. As we read these chapters, may we ask whether we are merely baptized unto repentance, or truly filled with the Spirit of Christ, ready to spend and be spent for His gospel.
Reflection
- Paul could say, “I am pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Is there anyone in your life to whom you have softened or withheld the truth of the gospel out of fear or comfort?
- The Ephesians wept because they would see Paul’s face no more, yet Paul pressed on toward Jerusalem and affliction. What earthly comfort or attachment might be holding you back from finishing the course God has set before you with joy?
Prayer
Lord God, we thank Thee for the faithful example of Thy servant Paul, who served with humility and tears, kept back nothing profitable, and counted not his life dear unto himself. Fill us with Thy Holy Ghost as Thou didst fill those twelve at Ephesus, that we may speak boldly and live sincerely before a watching world. Give us courage to declare all Thy counsel, and grace to commend one another to Thee and to the word of Thy grace. Guard Thy flock from grievous wolves, and keep us faithful unto the end, that we may finish our course with joy. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.