ASLC Devotions - Monday

Monday, April 11

 

Acts 20:7-9

 

Paul was holding a discussion with them; he continued speaking until midnight. A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead.

 

Who of us, trapped in an oxygen-deprived conference room and forced to endure yet another presentation from the CFO with eye charts of year-end financial reports, can’t identify with “Lucky” Eutychus? Here’s a young man (some say between 9–14 years old) who’s worked all day, who maybe was dragged to the upper room by his parents to hear the great Paul who, on first blush, seems to be so entranced by his own words that he can’t stop talking. And, finally succumbing to fatigue, does what any kid does and falls asleep—only unfortunately he’s positioned himself in front of an open window through which he falls to his death.  Bummer.

I admit, when I got this assignment, I didn’t think all that charitably about Paul. Reading the entire passage, salvation and resurrection seemed to be less important to him than making sure the congregation at Toras got the full measure of his wisdom before he moved on. Why Luke decided to tell us about this event, I don’t know—but curiously, trying to find meaning and relevance in this passage lead me to explore dozens of commentaries I’d never have considered and learn stuff I never thought remotely interesting. But it is interesting… and approached from the perspective of “buried treasure,” the Bible is an endless gold mine of social, cultural, historical—and, yes, spiritual—knowledge. Fortunately, Eutychus was resurrected and, I hope, found knowledge and faith to sustain him all his days.

Faith Witt

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