Near the end of his 3 year stay at Ephesus, a mob gathered in an attempt to persecute Christian missionaries as these ministers of Christ threatened the lively hood of many silversmiths when they preached the gospel and revealed the Ephesian idolatry was only sinful, but a distraction that prevented many from fulfilling their divinely appointed mission.
Because his life could be in danger, Paul was convinced to avoid the crowd assembled at the theater, which was eventually dismissed by the city clerk. In turn, he instructed leaders of the mob to take their case to the courts, rather than take on the Christian preachers on their own, thereby breaking the law.
“1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.” (Acts 20:1)
The uproar in Ephesus was led by Demetrius, one of the silversmiths whose trade, the production of small silver idols, was threatened by the preaching of the Christian disciples, who taught the truth about the fact there was only one true god, Yahweh, the divine creator and God of Israel.
Once the assembly was dismissed, Paul gathered the disciples before he ventured out to Macedonia, where he would continue serving the Lord and further the kingdom of God by advancing the gospel, fulfilling the great commission. While at Ephesus, Paul had a vision of this third missionary journey which proved to be his last.
“2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.” (Acts 20:2-3)
After Paul had visited Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea, he returned to Corinth where he labored for three months. During this time in Greece, the missionary wrote his letter to the Romans, the greatest of all his epistles.
While in Corinth, Paul found himself under attack once again by a group of Jews who likely plotted to kill him. Because of this, Paul traveled back through Macedonia rather than sail to Syria, where the missionary was aware trouble awaited.
“4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.” (Acts 20:4)
Luke names the missionaries who accompanied Paul on this journey through Macedonia, of which were Timothy and Luke himself, who had previously traveled with Paul seven years earlier. Luke had served in Philippi until this time, and would now join the endeavor.
“5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.” (Acts 20:5-6)
Luke traveled with Paul from Philippi to Troas, seemingly facing a contrary wind as the trip by sea would typically only require two days. In Troas, Luke and Paul joined the other disciples and continues their journey through the Roman province of Asia Minor, where they advanced the gospel and shared the truth about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ and Savior. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Luke,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
