Tears and Trials
On his way back to Jerusalem with the famine relief offering, Paul stops in Miletus. He doesn't have time for an extended stay in Ephesus, most likely because he wants to make sure this help arrives to the believers in Israel in time for the Pentecost holiday (Acts 20:16). But he clearly wants to encourage his Ephesian friends one last time before heading home. So he asks the elders of the church to make the 30 mile trip from Ephesus to Miletus (v17).
Paul tells these men about he made Ephesus his home during his time in the region. "I lived among you the whole time from the first day I set foot in Asia" (v18). The man from Tarsus spent time in other cities in the area, but set up his headquarters in Ephesus. Later he'll remind them that he taught and ministered there for three years (Acts 20:31).
The city provided him with a wonderful opportunity. The diverse population allowed him to reach a wide range of people with the message of Jesus. It also was a strategic location in taking the Gospel to Europe (Macedonia and Achaia). He had a soft spot in his heart for Ephesus and its people.
As much as he loved the Ephesian people, Paul was there for one purpose: "serving the Lord with all humility" (v19). He uses the Greek word douleuo. It is the verb form of the noun doulos, meaning servant or slave. It is the idea of putting aside one's own needs or interest in order to be completely devoted to another. In this case, Paul submitted his entire life to being a servant of Jesus. Twice he reminded the recipients of his letters of this (Rom 1:1; Titus 1:1).
As a follower of Jesus, my life is no longer my own. I have been "bought with a price" (1Cor 6:20; 7:23). Just because I realize this, it doesn't mean it's going to be easy. Remember Paul's words to the church in Rome? We're called to "present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Rom 12:1). The problem with a living sacrifice is that keeps crawling off the altar! Submission to Jesus' call on our lives is not easy.
The apostle mentions how his service to Christ in Ephesus came with a cost, "with all humility and with tears and with trials" (v19). While there are certainly plenty of laughs and good times, ministry can be very, very difficult. Humility comes from a "me third" attitude (God first, others second, me third). Later he would point out that humility is an important part of a Christ like life (Phil 2:3). Tears flow because we begin seeing others with the eyes of Jesus. We see pain. We see the deep need for repentance, mercy and grace in the lives of others. And there are most certainly trials and tests. God uses these hard times to grow us, shape us and mold us (James 1:2-3).
Paul makes it clear that the "plots of the Jews" were a continual problem for him. In cities with significant Jewish populations, the apostle first takes the Gospel to the local synagogue. In just about every instance, a certain group of Jews not only give him the spiritual stiff arm but conspire against him. Luke doesn't mention a plot against Paul in Ephesus in his earlier account, just that some Hebrews openly challenged him and slandered "the Way before the congregation" (Acts 19:9). But clearly, Paul's words to the Ephesian elders indicate something more sinister was afoot during his stay in the city.
In many ways, Paul's words in v19 describe his life after that fateful day when Jesus knocked him off his horse on the Damascus turnpike. Complete submission and service to Christ.
Humility. Tears. Trials.
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