Eutychus: Staying Connected

Hello Friends,

How are you doing? Can you believe that you are now three weeks into school with the fourth just hours away? Not only that, but can you believe that September began last Tuesday… (Yikes!) Fall is only 15 days way! Are you ready for Fall? Cool crisp mornings, mugs of hot chocolate, leaves changing colors, and the smell of pumpkin spiced (everything) in the air? Oh, and we can’t forget the late night bonfires and the many hours spent in the tractor harvesting the fields. It’s a new month with the anticipation of a new season. What are you planning on doing to enjoy the remaining days of Summer?

Today, I want to introduce you to a man named Eutychus, who Paul meets while preaching late at night. It’s a rather strange story. It’s found in Acts 20:7-12. The main focus of the story comes from Acts 20:9-10: “A young man by the name of Eutychus was sitting on a window sill. While Paul was speaking, the young man got very sleepy. Finally, he went to sleep and fell three floors all the way down to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead. Paul went down and bent over Eutychus. He took him in his arms and said, ‘Don’t worry! He’s alive.'” Although it’s a strange story, it has a wonderful message. Let me explain…

I have a confession to make: I’ve fallen asleep in church. I remember falling asleep as child–probably around your age–while leaning on my dad’s shoulder or while laying on my mother’s lap. Maybe that hasn’t happened to you, but do you sometimes find yourself distracted from what God is doing in church? Your mind is somewhere else or you can’t focus on what’s going on in front of you. Eutychus learned a painful lesson about staying alert when he fell asleep during an all-night church service. You see, he fell out of a window and died!

Paul was leaving in the morning. He had so much left to say to this new little church, and they were so eager to hear from him, that they all brought over their lamps and settled in for an all-nighter! What enthusiasm! (I can’t even stay awake past 10:00pm these days!) God was doing something amazing here and everyone was eager to be a part of it!

We don’t know why Eutychus put himself in the window. Was it a good place to see everything going on? Was it a comfy seat? Was there a breeze coming through the window? Maybe he sat there so he could look out at the city, maybe to be alone with his thoughts. Whatever the reason, Eutychus was not actively participating in what was going on in the room, he fell asleep, and then fell to the street below. That was a steep price to pay for not being alert!

But Eutychus’ fall is not the end of the story. Paul rushed out of the house and showed God’s power by raising him from the dead! God showed his power through a sleepy young man. The whole community went home comforted and amazed at how the power of God works in their lives. Their neighbor, their friend, their relative was brought back to life before their very eyes. Similar to what Jesus did when he raised Lazarus from the dead. Isn’t God amazing!

After raising Eutychus from the dead, Paul returns to preaching. Acts 20:11-12 tells us, “After Paul had gone back upstairs, he broke bread, and ate with us. He then spoke until dawn and left. Then the followers took the young man home alive and were very happy.” Paul returns to preaching. Paul has a meal with those present. And Paul doesn’t stop what God had been calling him to do. Paul understands that there is still more work to do–that the work of God never stops, even one someone falls asleep.

Eutychus became part of God’s story that night, though next time the believers met together, he probably stayed more alert.

My point is: we must do our best to stay alert for God. And we must help others who look like they are tired and worn out find God in their life. Are you willing to stay awake for God?

Let us pray: Dear Jesus, Help me to stay connected to other believers so I can see ways you are trying to teach me and have me be part of your story. Amen.

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!