“On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, ‘Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.’

After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.”
Acts 20:7-12

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MAY 8, 2025

I’d like to point out the odd situation in our passage this week. Paul is preaching in an upper room, likely the third floor. It’s a crowded room with many lamps, for it was evening and already dark. Paul preached and preached and kept on preaching deep into the night.

Then we read this strange bit about a young man who was sitting in a windowsill, fell into a deep sleep (to be honest, I would have done the same thing!), then fell out of the window plummeting three stories down to his death.

While most of the crowd was shocked and alarmed, Paul simply went down the three flights of stairs, hugged the boy, declared him alive, then walked back upstairs to continue speaking! Paul then facilitated a middle-of-the-night meal followed by more speaking until dawn.

I find this entire situation so hard to comprehend! But let’s ask for the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and learn what this strange scene can teach us today.

Why was Paul not even a little bit alarmed or upset by this boy falling out of a window during his preaching? Is Paul callous and indifferent? Does he care more about holding the floor than the wellbeing of those around him?

I think there is a greater reality at work here. Perhaps because of Paul’s commitment to discipleship—both within himself (Romans 7:15-25) and within the body of Christ—the Spirit gave him an ability to focus on the greater reality and not become derailed by life’s circumstances. He understood that this boy was not only safe as a believer sealed by the Holy Spirit, but would be well physically.

Paul didn’t set aside time for discipleship: discipleship was the pulsing current of all his days. Discipleship was in his travels, while he visited believers, while he waited, while he celebrated the Festivals, while he shared a meal. Discipleship was his whole life!

Are we so distracted by life’s circumstances that our discipleship is derailed? Do we truly trust God’s power over our lives, our bodies, and our wellbeing—come what may?

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What does your current life of discipleship look like?
  • What life circumstances are taking the spotlight and diverting your focus from growing as a follower of Christ and helping others grow?
  • Where do you still need to grow in your faith? Ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you, encourage you and rebuke you and ask for the strength to practice discipleship all of your days.

Church Reading Plan: Numbers 16; Psalm 52-54