I Kept Back Nothing

One of the most surprising parts of the story of Eutychus is what happened after Paul raised him from the dead. Paul had been preaching until midnight when Eutychus had fallen from the window and died. Paul went down and raised him up and declared that his life was in him. Then Luke recorded this: “When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed” (Acts 20:11). In other words, he kept preaching! Paul had such a love for the people and for the gospel of Jesus Christ that he never wanted to stop serving and teaching. It reminds me of the words of Parley P. Pratt when he found the Book of Mormon: “I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep. As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists.” Sleep was a burden because he wanted to stay in the word of God, and for Paul it was perhaps the same: he wanted to preach and teach and declare the gospel of Jesus Christ night and day, caring not for his own physical needs. He described how he felt to the elders of Ephesus when they met that last time in Miletus: “I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:18-21). He kept nothing back but gave his whole soul and all his energy to the Savior and His great work.

                As he expressed his love for the people of Ephesus in this final opportunity to see them, Paul also described what was coming soon for him: “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy” (Acts 20:22-24). He knew that he was going to face hard things—he would be imprisoned and experience many afflictions, but that could not deter him from performing the mission the Lord had in store for him. Paul similarly expressed his commitment when Agabus prophesied about his coming trials and the people sought to prevent Paul from leaving, “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). He was in that moment perhaps a type of Christ who was unwaveringly devoted to accomplishing his mission. He had told the apostles “that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Peter, upon hearing this, “took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” Even when one of His most devoted friends sought to dissuade Him, Jesus could not be deterred: “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:21-23). Like Paul, Jesus knew that great afflictions awaited Him, but he could not be dissuaded from accomplishing the mission that the Father had for Him. That is the kind of devotion that we should have for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was a powerful example to us of how we should value each opportunity to serve the Lord, even when it involves sacrifice or suffering on our part.