Scripture: After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
Acts 20:1-6 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, a silversmith named Demetrius is livid over the decline in the sale of shrines to the goddess Artemis, resulting from customers converting to Christianity. So he rallies fellow artisans and sparks a protest of boisterous rioting men who drag two of Paul’s traveling companions (Gaius and Aristarchus) to the theater. Concerned friends of Paul convince him not to engage in the conflict. Meanwhile, as the agitated crowd shouts their accusations, the Jews put forward Alexander to calm the crowd. But when they discover Alexander’s ethnicity, the crowd hysterically cries out their loyalty to Artemis for another two hours. So the town clerk intervenes, recounting the historical significance and stable influence of their cultic worship and cautioning the crowd to settle down lest they face the charge of rioting before the higher authority of the regular assembly. He also pointedly addresses Demetrius and his fellow artisans, directing them to follow Roman law and bring their accusations to the court of the proconsuls.
Today’s reading marks the last leg of Paul’s third and final missionary journey. Now that Ephesus’ clerk has restored order, Paul convenes his disciples to encourage them to continue the mission in his absence and say goodbye. Departing for Macedonia to join Timothy and Erastus (see yesterday’s Daily Focus for more detail), Paul visits and encourages church plants along the way to Troas (as he discloses in 2 Corinthians 2:12-14 and mentions in Timothy 4:13). Having arrived at Troas, Paul anxiously awaits Titus to come with news of the health of the church in Corinth. But with Titus’ no-show, Paul presses on to Macedonia via Philippi, where he celebrates the Passover. Once settled in Macedonia, Paul meets Titus and receives the good news that all is well in Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).
After an extended stay in Macedonia, Paul travels to Corinth, where he spends three months and likely writes his letter to the Roman church. Still yearning to return to Jerusalem, Paul plans to sail for Palestine-Syria (likely to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread at his sending church in Antioch). But learning of a plot to assassinate him at sea, Paul instead travels north by land to Philippi, where he celebrates the feast. From Philippi, Paul sails back to Troas and stays for seven days. Luke provides the names of Paul’s traveling companions and those who await him in Troas—all Greek converts from earlier missions. And Luke includes himself in verse 6 with the plural pronoun “we.”
Of note: Luke, who usually presents accurate details, creates confusion with this travelogue by omitting that Paul first went to Troas before returning a second time (as cited above).
Takeaway: Encouragement (or lack thereof) is the running theme of this brief narrative. Whether encouraging the church plants or feeling discouraged with no news of the Corinthian church’s well-being, Paul knew the importance of bolstering the troops. Additionally, to effectively discern the lead of the Holy Spirit, Paul relied on timely communication (e.g., averting an assassination) and the support of traveling companions and hosts. But we learn from the cross-references in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians that Paul struggled with waiting for news. Indeed, we see other signs of his impatience, whether resulting from delays, John Mark abandoning the team, the immature behavior of the Corinthian church, or his struggles with recurring sins. Still, Christ’s grace was sufficient to encourage Paul to keep going and finish his race well.
Our takeaway? Whether we engage in overseas missions or outreach in our neighborhoods, we, too, need a healthy flow of encouragement and effective communication. As such, we need co-laborers to join us in effectuating the unstoppable SEA changes that advance Christ’s kingdom. (As discussed in prior Daily Focus devotions, like the tides of the seas, when we rely on or offer community support, encouragement, and accountability, we effectuate lasting change in ourselves and others.) Lastly, as hard as it is to wait for direction, we must patiently discern the Holy Spirit’s lead through prayer, Scripture’s inspiration, and the counsel of godly believers. When all these elements come together in and through us, no matter how insignificant our labor may seem to us or others, in God’s economy, our faithfulness in following his Holy Spirit’s lead will prove an unstoppable force for advancing his kingdom.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who faithfully effected SEA changes in his disciples, who then played their part in paying it forward to future generations. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who orchestrates the process via supernatural communication and who shores the shortfall when our receptors go haywire. Still, we confess that when plans don’t go our way, patience is not our forté, and we are prone to take matters into our own hands. Moreover, while we welcome encouragement, we are not always generous in sharing it with others. So would you please help us submit to the lead of your Holy Spirit by receiving and extending support within the community of believers and by exercising patience with ourselves and others so that we might do our part as an unstoppable force advancing your kingdom? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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