“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.” Acts 20.7-12
Coming off the resurrection of Jesus, it’s simple to make the connection between the death of this young man Eutychus in this story and the Christ. Both died and both returned to life. But of course Jesus’ death redeemed humanity while Eutychus allowed Paul to keep preaching and avoid an embarrassing and a tragic moment.
As I return to my study in the book of Acts, I find myself with Eutychus, a young man, who is seated on the third floor in the house where Paul was preaching. Now apparently, Paul could be very long winded. Luke writes that Paul “talked on and on.” Have you known preachers to do this very thing? I think of the trip I took last spring to the Methodist Church of Costa Rica and how that conference was three days of talking — even though it was very good!
I’m sure Paul’s sermon was powerful. However, this young man, Eutychus, who was seated in a window, just couldn’t stay awake anymore, late into the night as the lesson went on and on. And falling asleep, he fell right out of the window! It would be hilarious except the poor young man died from the fall. I mean, it was three stories high!
Upon hearing this Paul goes down, “throws himself on the young man and put his arms around him.” “Don’t be alarmed,” he said, “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. Paul continued with his sermon, “talking until daylight,” and then left. And the people who took the young man home, who indeed alive, were “greatly comforted.” Imagine having a story like that to tell for the rest of your life. You were with Paul, fell out of a window because of long-windedness, and was brought back to life!
Jesus also suffered a horrific death, fell into the sleep of death, and was brought back to life. He died at the hands of angry men and women who were themselves sinners. Jesus died for those who were killing him. How ironic?! But God brought Jesus back to life and this past Sunday we all proclaimed, “He’s alive!”
Have you made Jesus Lord of your life? Was Resurrection Sunday your resurrection from death to life? From sin to holiness? We all have a lot of work to do in order to get in line with the Savior, but a great start is seeking humility, belief and obedience. Why not allow Jesus to guide your steps?. Find yourself accepted by the one who won your eternal freedom.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for allowing me to be your hands and feet. Help me know the power of your resurrection each and every day. Even when I stumble and fall, you redeem me daily. Come now, Holy Spirit, help me live as an Easter person. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen