01/23/2009

ACTS 20:7-12 New Century Version


7 On the first day of the week,[a] we all met together to break bread,[b] and Paul spoke to the group. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. 8 We were all together in a room upstairs, and there were many lamps in the room.9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window. As Paul continued talking, Eutychus was falling into a deep sleep. Finally, he went sound asleep and fell to the ground from the third floor. When they picked him up, he was dead.10 Paul went down to Eutychus, knelt down, and put his arms around him. He said, "Don't worry. He is alive now."11 Then Paul went upstairs again, broke bread, and ate. He spoke to them a long time, until it was early morning, and then he left.12 They took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.


This Scripture just tickled me! I read this the other night and got a mental picture and just laughed and laughed. Luke was with Paul (along with others - their names are in Verse 4) in Troas. Paul was to be leaving the next day so he spoke to the people. According to Luke, he kept talking until midnight. There was a young man, Eutychus, sitting in the window. When I went to Ukraine, they had these big windows with no screens and at the school some of the older children would sit on the windowsill; so I could just picture this young man sitting there listening to Paul. Luke says in Verse 9 (King James Version) that while Paul was "long preaching" (a long winded preacher...lol), Eutychus fell into a deep sleep and feel out the window and was dead. I could just see Paul's face when the young man fell out the window. Paul ran down and threw himself around him and said to the others, "don't worry, he's alive!" Then went right back upstairs, broke bread and ate and talked some more until daylight. Then he left. People took the young man home and were refreshed and encouraged.

I think that Luke probably chuckled a little bit as he was writing this. He knew Paul could talk on and on but I am sure he didn't expect this much excitement! lol I believe Paul wanted to teach the people as much as possible all that he knew before he had to leave not knowing if he would get back to see them again. Eutychus probably didn't fall asleep the rest of the night! I think God has a sense of humor. There are
times when a preacher or a teacher can outlast their audience. I know sometimes when I see something in the Word and I'll get so excited and call Min. Joseph and tell him about what I learned. I'll go on and on and next thing you know I'll be saying "Joey" and no answer, call his name again - he fell asleep on the phone! lol God gave us this opportunity to laugh a little about this; yet at the same time He is showing us (and the people that were in attendance there in Troas) that He performed a miracle through Paul and raised the dead. I could just see Paul saying "whew thank you Lord!" I also thought it was rather amusing that he went right back upstairs and started preaching again. I am sure no one fell asleep after that incident! Read your Word, you will find some amazing true stories! It will make you laugh, cry, be encouraged, help you to live a righteous life, etc. I just love the Word!!! Thank you God!!