Reading for Thursday, May 3: Acts 20

In Acts 20, we find Paul in Troas, joining the believers on the first day of the week. The miraculous raising of Eutychus is a reminder of the new life Christians celebrate each Sunday. The Lord’s Day is a declaration of resurrection as the church gathers in communion, for He has raised us through the power of His own rising. And we celebrate this joyously together — even as we reverently worship Him for His great love, our communion is sweet for we share it together. Each week begins with Sunday, the day of new beginnings and new life.

Paul speaks some heartfelt words to the Ephesian elders, indicating the depth of his relationship with them. Paul understands these rich relationships to be the result of God’s Kingdom power to save in Christ. Again, this is part of the communion we enjoy — life along the Way. But Paul’s words are bittersweet as he bids these believers farewell. Paul isn’t sure what will happen to him in Jerusalem, but he prepares himself for the worst: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that i received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

v28 is a helpful reminder for those in church leadership. Overseers are to serve as “under-shepherds” — those who are mindful of their commission to tend the Lord’s flock. We should never lose sight of the fact that the sheep are HIS…not ours. Anyone who shepherds a subset of the Lord’s flock would do well to remember this stewardship principle.