An unforgettable meeting

Thursday 22 July 2021

An unforgettable meeting

Now, a young man by the name of Eutychus was setting on the edge of the window. He fell asleep soundly during Paul's long speech, and, dragged down by sleep, fell from the third floor. When they tried to raise him up, he was dead. But Paul came down, leaned over him and took him in his arms, saying : Do not worry, for his soul is in him. Acts 20: 9,10

The text from which today's verses are taken contains practical teachings applicable to a meeting of believers :

A gathering is held on the first day of the week for the purpose of breaking bread, in remembrance of the Lord's death. The Christians of Troas understood that the day recalling the Lord's resurrection was particularly suitable for celebrating the Lord's Supper.

The apostle’s presence leads the believers in Troas to give Paul the opportunity to teach them. Let us also give free rein to the exercise of a ministry, even if it changes our habits.

Paul preaches for a very long time. Eutychus, a young man, seated on a window sill, falls asleep and falls three stories ! The reason for Eutychus's choice to stand near a window is unknown. Has he left his place for an elderly person ? Did he want to be cool ? Still, the length of the apostle's speech put him to sleep. There seems to be an indication here, on the one hand for the brothers who teach to master their interventions, on the other hand for those who listen to be in good spirits.

Eutychus is raised dead after his fall. Paul comes down, leans over him, kisses him and asks the assembly not to worry, for his soul is in him. This action illustrates an important aspect of the pastoral ministry : it is a question of approaching the bruises of life, of taking care of them to help them find a life of communion with the Lord and of having the faith that the Lord relieves them.

After this incident, Paul goes back to the upper room, breaks bread with the assembled believers, and has a meal with them. Thereafter, he stays with them until dawn, but then it is no longer a sermon but a brotherly conversation.

At the end of this unforgettable reunion and after Paul's departure, Eutychus is brought back alive to everyone's comfort. The Lord sometimes allows dramatic events to wake us up and then be able to talk to us about Him in fellowship.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)