Today's reading: Acts 20-21
"On the first day of the week, we gathered to observe the Lord's Supper. Paul was preaching; and since he was leaving the next day, he talked until midnight. The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he sank into a deep sleep and fell three stories to his death below. Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. Don't worry, he said, he's alive! Then they all went back upstairs and ate the Lord's Supper together. And Paul continued talking to them until dawn; then he left. Meanwhile, the young man was taken home unhurt, and everyone was greatly relieved." Acts 20:7-12 NLT
Words intrigue me.
The power in them.
The definition of them.
The emotion that can be expressed through them.
And sometimes, as in this account--the lack of being able to find just the right word to convey the right tone.
Take the last word of today's text, for example...
...and everyone was greatly relieved.
I would say, in regards to most of the folks in that upper room, this summed up how they felt, if they didn't know young Eutychus. 'Relieved' young man hadn't lost his life. 'Relieved' their prayer meeting hadn't ended on a bad note. 'Relieved' their next day wouldn't be spent at a funeral, making the funeral casserole, wearing the scratchy funeral clothes. Yes, 'relieved', was probably the right word for them.
But was it the proper word in regards to Eutychus? How he was feeling? After the experience he'd just had? I mean, this was more than just falling out of bed. More than just rolling off the couch after a bad dream. Three stories? 'Relieved'? I don't think so! This young boy, even if he were a teenager who was going through the stage of refusing to express his emotions was ecstatic to be alive! Thrilled to not be dead! Over the moon to not be just a memory!
And from a momma's perspective? (Sorry, I just can not not go there--even if she isn't mentioned.) Imagine the boy's mom. Do you think 'relieved' summed up her emotions? Whether she was there or not, whether she witnessed the fall or heard about it second hand? Whether she watched helplessly or stood over his body as Paul prayed God's life back into it? 'Relieved' clearly would not have been the proper word to explain her feelings.
This boy was freed from death that evening.
Redeemed from eternity until a later time.
Liberated to continue in his God given talents for a while longer.
Rescued in a way that would point others to know more about God's power.
And the people were 'relieved'? 'Relieved'?
Sadly, it's kind of like us when we hear someone is saved/born again.
It's not celebrated. It's not applauded. It's not something that brings about joy and excitement and enthusiasm. It gives us...relief.
Shame on us!
Wow, these few verses have surely spoken to my heart and head this morning!
