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Acts 20     English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

¹⁷ Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; ²⁰ how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.²⁴ But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, ²⁷ for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. ²⁸ Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.³¹ Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.³² And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.³⁵ In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

³⁶ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, ³⁸ being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

REFLECTION:

• Paul was saying his final goodbye to the elders at Ephesus. He knew that more hardship and prison awaited him in Jerusalem. And he would never see the faces of these elders again. It was a sad but fond farewell.  Somehow in just two brief years, a close bond had been forged between Paul and these new Christians. How was this possible?
• Paul let people know how he lived (v18) by opening up his life and inviting people to see and know the real him. Paul served the Lord with humility (v19) and maintained a close relationship with the Lord.  Paul didn’t hesitate to witness for Christ and taught new Christians God’s word (vv20-21).  He lived as an example of Christian values in action (vv33-35).
• These qualities combined foster a bond of love and affection between Paul and the Ephesians. And the same qualities can create bonds of affection among us today, too.
• What would you want to say to those in your spiritual care if you knew that you were going to die? Take time to express your hope and your love to that person in the near future.  Ask God for the courage to say these most important words to those you love and for whom you care deeply.

PRAYER:

Beloved Lord Jesus, how much longer do I have in this world before I see Your face? Our earthly lives are like dewdrops on the grass, clouds in the sky, appearing for a moment and then vanishing. The changing of morning and evening, years passing by, we are constantly parting with fondness, and constantly reluctant to let go: when the golden morning comes, we are reluctant to part with the silver night; when the fiery summer flowers bloom, we are reluctant to part with the tender green spring willows; when the glistening winter snowflakes fall, we are reluctant to part with the colorful autumn leaves; when the gospel of your redemption arrives, the kingdom of heaven draws near, yet we are reluctant to part with this bustling world; when the imperishable new life you have given comes, we are unwilling to part with our fading old life. Ah, let us not be reluctant, but rather be determined! May You help me learn the character of Paul and build intimate relationships with my brothers and sisters; may You help us turn our reluctance and attachment into sweet anticipation in our hearts. We do not know when You will come, but we are willing to diligently wait for You with our entire lives. Let us learn from Your example, humble and gentle; let us bear Your yoke and carry Your burden, for You have said it is light and easy. For the promise of a new heaven and a new earth from You, we are willing to wait in this manner! Amen!

HYMN:

Christ Our Hope in Life and Death – youtu.be/vfFNLV1Q3AE