About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.” When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” After saying this he dismissed the assembly.
After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia. (Acts 19:23-20:1 NASB)
It is good to take the Good News of Jesus to new places. Many people will be pleased, but often some people are angry. Some people were angry with Jesus Christ, and he said this would also happen to us (John 15:18-21). But Jesus also said we should be happy and glad if people give us trouble for doing what is right. God will bless us if we suffer trouble for him (Matthew 5:10-12).
If we suffer trouble because of Jesus, we must love our enemies and do good to them (Matthew 5:43-48). This is very hard, but remember how Jesus asked God to forgive the men who were nailing him to the cross (Luke 23:34). God’s Spirit helped Jesus to do this, and the same Spirit lives in us. In this way we can show our enemies something of God’s love.
Sometimes it is right to leave people if they do not want to hear about Jesus. We should not try to make them listen (Matthew 10:14).
After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia. (Acts 19:23-20:1 NASB)
It is good to take the Good News of Jesus to new places. Many people will be pleased, but often some people are angry. Some people were angry with Jesus Christ, and he said this would also happen to us (John 15:18-21). But Jesus also said we should be happy and glad if people give us trouble for doing what is right. God will bless us if we suffer trouble for him (Matthew 5:10-12).
If we suffer trouble because of Jesus, we must love our enemies and do good to them (Matthew 5:43-48). This is very hard, but remember how Jesus asked God to forgive the men who were nailing him to the cross (Luke 23:34). God’s Spirit helped Jesus to do this, and the same Spirit lives in us. In this way we can show our enemies something of God’s love.
Sometimes it is right to leave people if they do not want to hear about Jesus. We should not try to make them listen (Matthew 10:14).
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