Acts 20:13-16 From Troas to Miletus
“Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.”
Paul is doing a farewell tour of places where he has taught and preached; however, he feels an incredible sense of urgency to make it to Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost. Fearing that a visit to Ephesus would delay him too much, Paul sends for the elders of the Ephesian church, rather than going there himself.
Acts 20:17- 38 The Ephesian Elders Exhorted
“From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Not only does Paul know he must reach Jerusalem before Pentecost but the Holy Spirit continually warns Paul that he is about to endure imprisonment and suffering. Even so, Paul has only one goal: “finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”
Paul is a hard-nosed realist. No matter how carefully Paul has taught these men, he knows that once he is gone, false teachers are going to crop up, perverting the Gospel and confusing the faithful. Paul goes on to warn that some of these false teachers will come from among the very church leaders themselves, making it absolutely necessary for these men to watch and remember Paul’s warnings.
“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.”
Paul is delivering himself of his most intimate passions. Knowing that he will never see these men again, Paul is reminding them of the manner in which he has provided for himself and his companions in ministry and his simple life style. Paul continues to beg his friends to support the weak and to be as generous as possible. Finally, with everyone in tears, Paul says farewell and goes to his ship.
Few things are more painful than final good-byes. During our missionary careers, we have said final good-byes to parents and grandparents. One haunting memory is of Jean’s father following us to the gateway of the farm yard and waving good-bye as we left for the airport. In November 2021 we left America for Ghana while Jean’s beloved brother was dying with COVID pneumonia. Only the knowledge that we would see him again in heaven made it possible for us to go, but Christmas was coming, and our mission hospital would be one of the few hospitals fully functioning during the holiday.
Paul has a triple burden: he is bidding a final farewell to believers closer to him than his own family and he knows he won’t see them again this side of heaven. Paul already anticipates the rise of false prophets within the church who may deceive the innocent and pervert their faith. And Paul knows that his trip to Jerusalem will ultimately end in imprisonment and suffering, suffering he can only pray to endure.
How great is our passion for sharing the Gospel? How great is our passion for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Do we weep for our unsaved family members and friends? Do we pray for those around us as we go through our days? What drives us? May God help us so that we will be as passionate about those around us as Paul is about his converts in Greece, Asia, and Macedonia!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please give us Your passion for those around us. Let our hearts break with the things that break Your heart. Help us to be channels of Your love and grace. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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