LAW ON OUR SIDE
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Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that, as you call me to follow you, you assure me that you go before me, providing everything I need to live my life as a testimony for you.
Read ACTS 19:23-41
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Riot in Ephesus
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Have you ever had to sacrifice profit or another benefit for the sake of Christ?
There are many things that can become idols for us. We can very easily put our well-being before our commitment. An idol takes the place in our hearts that God should take, but sometimes this is very subtle and hard to see.
Luke shows us several times how the power of God can overcome all other powers. He tells us of a riot taking place in Ephesus, triggered by this question of idolatry. As Christianity grew and challenged local superstition, the business of the silversmiths who made idols of the goddess Artemis of Ephesus was suffering. Paul was preaching that gods made by men were not gods at all—and so the idol makers were going bankrupt. Demetrius, a local smith, instigated the riot and it could have turned out very badly for Paul. However, the disciples and the ‘officials of the province’ (v. 31) persuaded Paul not to enter the theater and address the crowd. Paul clearly had friends in high places, and this was significant. The town clerk seemed to have calmed the rioters down. He reminded Demetrius that there was a proper legal process if he wanted to make a complaint. He did not need to resort to civil disobedience. Once again, we see that Roman law could be used by God to help the gospel to spread.
Luke discussed this riot at length after describing many miracles taking place under Paul’s ministry. The mission in Ephesus added a new dimension to our understanding of God: God cannot be conceived in terms of man-made idols. In India, as in other places, Christian work can be opposed for similar reasons.
Apply
How is the gospel being challenged where you live? Are those around you aware of it? Pray for those who preach the Word.
Closing prayer
Father, I ask you for a mind and heart that continue to pursue your truth. As I grow in faith, give me greater vision and boldness to share who you are with others.
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