DAY #211: Acts 19:13-41

History tells us that many Ephesians engaged in exorcism and occult practices for profit. The sons of Sceva were impressed by Paul’s work, obviously more powerful than their own. But they failed to see that Paul’s power to drive out demons came from God’s Holy Spirit, not from incantations and magic formulas. These men were calling on the name of Jesus without knowing him personally.

The self-proclaimed exorcists were so overpowered by one evil spirit in a man that they all were attacked and badly injured. Eventually, they fled for their lives, feeling fortunate that they had lost only their clothes. Here is a clear incident that demonstrates the truth that knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing him.

So it was that after a period of relative peace and steady growth for the Ephesian church, the gospel became offensive and intolerable to the city’s craftsmen because it was undermining their ability to sell silver idols of Artemis. Converts to Christianity were no longer buying these products. Consequently, for economic and religious reasons, the Way (a reference to those who followed Christ) came under scrutiny, suspicion, and eventually attack. Demetrius, a prominent member of the silversmiths’ guild, was the instigator of this trouble.

Demetrius’s strategy for stirring up a riot was to appeal to his fellow workmen’s love of money and then to encourage them to hide their greed behind the mask of patriotism and religious loyalty. It would be difficult to get Ephesian citizens worked up about the slumping sales of a group of idol makers. However, it would be easy to rally the masses behind a noble campaign to defend the prestige of the goddess and her magnificent shrine.

The ploy of Demetrius worked perfectly. In short order, the gathered crowd boiled with anger at the Christians in their city and the subversive message of the gospel. They began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

As the crowd rushed along, fueled by their fury, they managed to seize two of Paul’s known traveling companions—Gaius and Aristarchus. (Aristarchus, a native of Thessalonica, would later accompany Paul on other journeys)

Luke’s observations about many in the rioting crowd not even knowing why they were there would have brought a chuckle to his original readers, for Greek playwrights and authors commonly mocked human foibles. Irony and parody were common elements in Greek comedy. The scene in the theater was one of total confusion.

Into the chaos stepped the mayor of Ephesus. Perhaps fearing Roman reprisal—specifically the suspension of Ephesus’s privileges as a “free” city with its own elected assembly—this respected leader somehow managed to get the attention of the angry mob.

With the crowd quiet and under some semblance of emotional control, the mayor briefly reiterated the facts of the case involving the Christians. First, they had stolen nothing from the temple, nor had they spoken against the goddess. Given that, if this was a conflict involving economic matters, Ephesus had an adequate legal system through which personal grievances could be addressed. Consequently, the mayor urged Demetrius and the craftsmen to pursue their dispute with the Christians through legal channels.

The mayor’s straightforward reminder must have had a sobering effect on the Ephesian populace, for they dispersed. The riot in Ephesus convinced Paul that it was time to move on. But it also showed that the law still provided some protection for Christians as they challenged the worship of the goddess Artemis in the most idolatrous religion in Asia.

SO WHAT? (what will i do with what i have read today?)

"Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12 (TEV)

What price am we willing to pay to be God's people and live out His purposes for our lives? Is this even a consideration, or are we so caught up in our own problems, our own pleasures, our own lives that living all out - sold out for the things of God is not on the horizon of our life?

Listen to the admonition given to us in Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

What kinds of things do I need to "throw off" in order to be used to the max by God and for His purposes? Unhealthy habits? Past hurt? Anger? Resentment? Bitterness? Past failures?

Lord, cleanse my heart heart and mind today. Give me a clear direction and vision that You have for my life and the lives of Your followers. Today lord, no holding back. No half-hearted measures. All out - all day for You.