Paul at Troas and Miletus (Based on Acts 20)

Paul went into Macedonia again. After visiting other places, he came at last to Troas and stayed there seven days. On the first day of the week, the disciples came together, and Paul preached to them, ready to depart on the morrow. The first day of the week is our Sunday, the Christian Sabbath. The Jewish Sabbath was on the seventh day of the week. On that day God rested from His work of Creation and “blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.” After Christ’s resurrection the Sabbath was kept on the first day of the week, for Christians remember a still more glorious work which happened on that day. It was on the first day of the week that the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the grave and so finished the work of redemption.

It was in the evening when the little company of Christians at Troas met together to hear Paul preach. They assembled in an upper room. There were many lights in the room, and since Paul had much to say to the people, he went on preaching till midnight. In a window of the room, a young man named Eutychus was sitting. As Paul was long preaching, this young man fell asleep, fell out of the window, and was taken up dead. All the disciples were in great sorrow when they saw what had happened. Paul went down to the place where the dead body lay, fell on it, and prayed God to raise Eutychus to life again. God, who had before raised the dead at the prayers of Elijah and Elisha, was pleased to hear the prayer of Paul now and to assure him that Eutychus should five again. So Paul said, “Trouble not yourselves; for his fife is in him.” Then Paul went back upstairs and ate bread with the disciples. He talked with them until morning and departed.

Paul left Troas and went on foot to Assos; there he got on a ship and sailed to Miletus. He was anxious to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, so he hastened on his journey from place to place, but he would not leave Miletus without seeing some very dear friends. These were the elders of the church of Ephesus. He sent for them, that he might talk to them once more before saying goodbye to them forever. When they were come, he spoke to them very affectionately and tenderly. He reminded them of all that he had said in times past. Then he told them that he was going to Jerusalem, not knowing what might happen to him there.

He said, “The Holy Ghost tells me that in every place bonds and troubles await me. Yet none of these things move me; neither think I my life dear unto myself; I only wish to finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus. And now I know that all you among whom I have preached shall see my face no more. Remember then what I have told you, and take care of the flock which God has given you to feed—the church which He has bought with His own blood. I know that wolves will soon come among you and try to destroy that little flock. Enemies will come and try to lead you away from the truth of the gospel. Watch, then, and pray; and remember how I have warned you for three years, night and day, with tears. And now I give you up to God and to the word of His grace, for He is able to keep you and at last bring you safely to the inheritance He prepared for them that are sanctified.” When Paul had said this, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

They all wept, fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words that he spoke—that they should see his face no more. They went with him to the ship. Then they again said goodbye. His friends from Ephesus watched him for a long while, till at last the ship sailed far away beyond their sight and they saw him no more.

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