The lids drooped. A dimly lit room, warm bodies, and a soft breeze conspired against the young man. Not to mention a speaker holding forth for hours. Eutychus dozed off and fell out of the window where he sat, three stories above the ground. His friends rushed downstairs to find him dead.
I’ve fallen asleep in multiple churches. I prefer soft lighting and a padded pew closer to the back. I’ve attended the symphony a few times in my life, an outing my wife loves. Each time I’ve fallen deeply and profoundly asleep, even in hard wooden chairs. The atmosphere is unparalleled for slumber.
Paul raised Eutychus back to life, and not taking the hint, preached on, finally stepping away at dawn.
Paul strove to impart everything he knew to these believers. A few days later he told the leaders of the Ephesian church, now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. All wept as they embraced Paul for the last time.
I suppose I can forgive Paul for preaching all night, when he knew his time was short. Like a farmer at harvest, Paul worked with all his strength to build these young churches to thrive in their world.
The name Eutychus means “fortunate.” In this case doubly so, to receive a new lease on life, and to hear Paul preach one of his last sermons in the flesh.
Acts 20 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover
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Loved this one, too! And grateful that I am not the only one who has occasionally fallen asleep in church!
Love this one!!
Thank you Mark!