Acts 20:13-38 Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders
13 Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship. 14 He joined us there, and we sailed together to Mitylene. 15 The next day we sailed past the island of Kios. The following day we crossed to the island of Samos, and a day later we arrived at Miletus.
16 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn’t want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost. 17 But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.
Paul has a sense of urgency inside himself; he feels impelled to make it to Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost. Now Paul has landed at Miletus and is messaging the elders at Ephesus to come to him. How far will those men have to travel? Miletus was approximately 50 miles (about 80 kilometers) from Ephesus. Additionally, some sources mention a distance of around 36 miles (about 58 kilometers) depending on the specific routes taken. Miletus was situated on a peninsula near the Meander River, which historically posed challenges for direct land travel to Ephesus.
18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. 20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. 25 “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
Make no mistake! Paul fully realizes that things are about to get worse and that he will soon face intense persecution on a larger scale than he ever has before. To that end, Paul calls the Ephesian elders, both to see them one last time and to leave instructions. As Paul waits for the Ephesian delegation to arrive, he is pondering what he should say and how he should say it. How can Paul condense years of teaching into a few hours? How can he say what he must without confusing the Ephesians with too many details?
How can Paul say a final farewell to men who have become closer than blood brothers, men who have been ridiculed and mocked and attacked in the streets of Ephesus? As Paul waits, he remembers the stories of many of these men, how they have come out of all kinds of depravity to morph into strong church leaders, and yet Paul remains concerned.
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
How can Paul be so certain that false teachers will arise? Simple. Paul knows the Greeks are always chasing after any new ideas, particularly if they are well-represented and if the would-be teacher is charismatic. After all, the serpent in Eden half-quoted God.
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. 37 They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. 38 They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.
The image is seared into my brain. It’s early September 2011, and we are leaving for Ghana one more time. We have been eating lunch with my father and step-mother. As we drive out of the farmyard, my father is standing by the gate, waving good-bye. It’s the last time we will see my father, for three months later, he will die just a few days short of his 89th birthday. We are going with my father’s blessing, but my heart still breaks at the memory.
Two weeks ago, friends in Ghana conducted a final funeral for Amos Biyimba, one of the local saints. We think Amos might have been 110-115 years old. Amos survived crippling yaws, being cured by penicillin injections given by early missionaries. Later, Amos cooked for missionary nurses and eventually served as a watchman. Amos had a wicked sense of humor, and we remember our conversations with him fondly. We were blessed to say our farewells to Amos in person a few days before his death.
When I consider final good-byes, I remember the Johnny Cash song played at my brother Rus’s funeral. We must say good-bye on this side of eternity, but one day, there will be no more good-byes.
“I’ll Be Waiting on the Far Side Banks of Jordan
I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Still I’ve got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me want to stay
And my one regret is leaving you behind.
Chorus: And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water, reaching for your hand
But if it proves to be His will that I am first to cross
And somehow I’ve a feeling it will be
When it comes your time to travel likewise, don’t feel lost
For I will be the first one that you’ll see
And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water, reaching for your hand
Through this life we’ve laboured hard to earn our meager fare
It’s brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
So I’ll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come, then we’ll see paradise.
I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water, reaching for your hand.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that in Your Kingdom, there are no final farewells, but only temporary partings. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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