Read the text here: Acts 20:1-38.
Today’s reading includes a favorite Sunday School character, Eutychus, the poor lad who falls asleep during an extra-long teaching session of Paul’s. Having grown up in a church in which the pastor’s sermons regularly went 35 to 45 minutes, I have long empathized with Eutychus. The narrative underscores Paul’s verbosity: “he talked with them…prolonged his speech until midnight…as Paul talked still longer.” Eutychus sits on the window ledge, and falls asleep, and lands 3 stories down on the ground outside.
Paul rushes outside, takes the young man in his arms, and restores him to life. Does he take the hint and send everyone home to get some rest? No, he takes a snack break (actually, breaking bread–usually refers to ritual of communion) and eventually resumes teaching until after daybreak.
It’s an intriguing story; makes for good Sunday School fodder. It also underscores the importance of Paul’s farewell message to the elders in Asia Minor. He warns the elders in Acts 20:31 “…Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.” There will be little time to rest, in Paul’s estimation. Those who are leading the churches must pay attention and not fall asleep. Their work is too important.
May 14, 2007 at 10:29 pm
On “Paul’s verbosity:” As Worship Chair I sometimes feel the need to apologize as I give the weekly readings to my readers, “I’m sorry, it’s Paul.” He does tend to go on!
But his passion, sense of urgency and devotion to his cause was for good reason: Paul had an encounter and conversation with the risen Christ! Wow! I think Paul was making up for lost time.