An expression of love
June 12, 2009 (Friday)
Each Friday blog is about the Apostle Paul’s life and ministry. Last Friday we watched as he and his companions, on the third missionary journey, went to Ephesus, the capitol of the province of Asia, in Asia Minor, and remained there three years, a record stay in one place for him. His longest tenure before that time had been one and one-half years at Corinth. Ephesus was a strategic location, and the message preached there had a rippling effect, influencing many in that part of the world.
The ministry in Ephesus, as far as Paul’s work there was concerned, came to a screeching halt when a riot developed over the loss of business among the silversmiths and others who made their living in some way from one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the magnificent temple of the goddess Artemis. Demetrius, a leader of the silversmiths, stirred up the people, claiming that the missionaries were directly responsible for turning people away from that idolatry. Cooler heads prevailed, and the riot ceased, but not before Paul’s friends successfully urged him to make no personal appearance at the unruly assembly, and move on to some other place.
Paul spent the better part of the next 17 months in Macedonia and Achaia, working with the churches there and collecting a special offering for the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. As he prepared to return to Jerusalem, he was glad to take the offering from Gentiles to Jews, confirming the unity of faith and brotherly love among believers. An attitude of generosity and helpfulness toward suffering people has characterized true Christian belief since its beginning, and has heavily influenced the United States, whose citizens have opened their hearts and pocketbooks to disadvantaged people throughout the world.