"Eager Hearers"

 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the nect day, spoke to them and Continued his message until midnight,"

 ACTs 20:7

     Today's passage may cover more than a year's time in Paul's ministry. We know he had intended to remain in Ephesus until pentecost. (1 Cor.16:8), probably of A.D. 55, though the unrest in Ephesus may have accelerated his departure. By the end of the passage, Pentecost of A.D. 56 is approaching (V.16). In summary form, Luke traces the apostle's travels around the Aegean, pausing only to recount in detail one remarkable incident that he himself witnessed. Realizing that his lengthy and fruitful ministry in Ephesus is at an end, Paul bids the church there a fond farewell. Then, following the Spirit's guidance (19:2), he travels to Troas (2 Cor.2:12); through Macedonia, where he encourages the believes but suffers "conflicts" and "fear" over sins in the corinthian church (2Cor.7:5-6); and finally on to Corinth, where he stays three months. But the Jews there have not forgotten Paul, and as he is about to sail for Jerusalem, he learn of a plot against him. Thus, he changes his plan and, with several companins for protection, returns through Macedonia, receiving gifts for the church in Jerusalem (2Cor.8:2-3). Paul and Luke remain in Philippi briefly, perhaps to observe Passover, while the others go ahead to troas. The party reunites there and stays seven days.

      Paul had not foundec the church at troas, but when the believers gather for wordhip on the first day of the week ( the first Nes Testament reference to sunday worship), he joins them and preaches long into the night. The christians rejoice at this "extraordinary opportunity to receive instruction from an apostle," according to Dr. Simon Kistemarker. Yet the hour is late and the many lamps in the room make for warm conditions. Thus a young man named Eutychus, sitting on a windowsill, dozes off and falls three stories to his death. Luke, a physician, can verify he is dead. But Paul, rushing to Eutychus' body, embraces him and proclaims him to be alive, which leaves the church "not a little comforted." Thus like Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, and peter before him, Paul is used by God to raise a person from death.

       Paul remains with the Christians of Trias through the night, celebrating the Lord's Supper with them and exhorting them till daybreak. Then he and his companion depart, they by ship and he, for unexplained reasons, by foot, to continue on toward Jerusalem.

      The belivers of Troas were willing to sit late into the night in a warm, crowded room to hear the preaching of the apostle Paul. Yet we often struggle to sit through a half-hour sermon, even in airconditioned comfort. Ask God to help you rejoice in the blessing of the Word preached. And pray that your pastor will preach it faithfully.