After the Ephesus riot Paul encouraged the disciples and went to Macedonia. He encouraged believers in that region and went to Greece. The Jews plotted against him so he sailed to Syria returning through Macedonia. Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus accompanied him. They went ahead and waited at Troas, then we (Luke possibly included) sailed from Philippi and came to Troas. They were gathered on Sunday, to break bread and Paul talked until midnight. Eutychus was sitting at the window, fell asleep, and fell from the third story. He was dead. Paul bent over him, took him in his arms and said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” They broke bread, ate, and conversed a while. They took Eutychus away alive. They (we again) sailed to Assos, but Paul arranged to go by land. They took Paul on board to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus. Paul decided to sail past Ephesus in order not to spend time in Asia, he was hurrying to Jerusalem to be there on Pentecost. He sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come. Paul gave them a final charge reminding them of his ministry of living and preaching repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul expects imprisonment and persecution in Jerusalem. He doesn’t count his life of any value nor as precious to himself, but only to finish the ministry he received from Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. He didn’t shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock. Care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. He warns of false teachers coming. He commends them to God. He prayed with them all, and there was much weeping, because they would not see his face again.
The love that believers have for one another is precious. Paul had one mission – to preach the gospel. But notice that it wasn’t vacuous of love and deep relationships with co-workers or the ones he shared with. Too often we believe the lie that being concerned about the salvation of our friends is somehow just a loveless project. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, we are seeking converts to Christ, but in that desire for conversions we are gaining brothers and sisters in Christ. In the desire for conversions we are seeking to give our lives to those people and long for them to share their lives with us through Christ. This doesn’t mean we don’t show mercy and compassion to non-believers, but the motivation for conversions to Christ is rooted in our love. Our love for God, and our love for our friends and family. And the love we share here as Christians will be translated to eternity. One day we will be separated from our loved ones who reject Christ. Will you love your friends and family enough to invite them into an eternal relationship with God, and thereby also with you? Pray for elders who love like this. We as Christians meet to part (on this earth) but part to meet (in heaven).