Acts 20

The Scripture reading for today is Acts 20.  To access this Scripture, click here:

Acts 20:36-38, When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

There is a lot in this chapter that is worthy to be highlighted but I'm choosing these last several verses.  Paul is leaving the elders at the church of Ephesus, people he has worked and preached alongside for quite some time.  These are people he has grown to love and who love him dearly.  They are brothers and sisters in Christ.  They are family.  And they know they will never see one another again in this earthly life. 

When I was traveling in Germany with my Doctorate cohort in 2018, I met a pretty extraordinary South African couple who dedicated their lives to witnessing to Syrian refugees in some of the most dangerous places on earth.  Our little group shared, prayed, laughed, and cried with them.  My own life journey is forever changed because of the one day I spent with them.  I say all of that to make this point.  As we left each other's company that day, we were sad because we knew that chances were we would never see each other again this side of heaven.  But, we also rejoiced because we knew that we knew that we would spend eternity together. 

I think about this as I read about Paul leaving his dear friends.  They know that life circumstances will never allow them to be together again in this world.  But friends, we aren't simply citizens of earth, we are citizens of heaven!  Our time apart is short compared to the eternity we will spend together in heaven.  I try to remember this when I officiate a funeral of a loved brother or sister in Christ.  Yes, it is very painful to say good-bye.  We miss them.  But if we know Jesus, then it isn't really good-bye.  It's simply "See ya later! Hasta la vista!  Till we meet again!"  The pain and sadness are real.  We must acknowledge that.  But we can trust that God will turn our mourning into dancing.  Thank you, Jesus!

Let's pray...Lord Jesus, we thank you that we can know that we know that this world is not all there is.  Because of your saving work on the cross, we can spend eternity with you and with other saints who have gone before us.  We are so grateful, Lord, that you can take our tears and sadness and turn them into joy.  Help us keep a heavenly perspective, Lord.  In Your Name, Amen.