Recall that yesterday we observed that God uses unusual miracles at unusual times to produce unusual results. Today we read about Paul’s final night in Troas, in which a young man was brought back to life by Paul even though he fell three stories to his death…
6 After the Passover ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week.
7 On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. 9 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” 11 Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. 12 Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly relieved.
Acts 20:6-12 NLT
On the way through this region, Paul and his colleagues stopped at Troas, where they stayed for this week. As I read this account, I am reminded of the question the disciples asked Jesus about a man born blind. “Who sinned?” They asked, assuming that someone’s sin was responsible for the man’s blindness. Jesus’ answer was that neither had sinned. He was born blind so that the works of God could be manifest in him (John 9).
It seems to me that God allows some things and even causes other things so that his works and glory can be revealed around us. As this young man fell asleep and then fell to his death, I would say it falls into one or the other. Recall that yesterday we observed that God uses unusual miracles at unusual times to produce unusual results. This is one of those times.
We know from this is the last time Paul would go to Troas. This miracle is a lasting memory for the people there to share and praise God for. This young man was brought back to life by Paul even though he fell three stories to his death. It was the final night of Paul’s time with them.
Imagine how amazing their celebration would be as they shared the Lord’s Supper, ate together, and then talked until dawn. God’s goodness couldn’t be better for this group than the experience of this week and this night.
We have to feel for Eutychus, however, because the poor fellow didn’t get to stay for the all-nighter. He was taken home to his family alive and well. God works in mysterious ways, yet he always does so to shine a light on his presence, power, and promise.
Amen.
Marc Kinna
marckinna 