The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul was spreading the gospel throughout the city of Ephesus, and “there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen. Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover you see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “some cried one thing, and some another” where we read:
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused;
and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
The verse begins, “Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused;” Luke began with the words, “some there fore cried one thing” which means “a few of the people then, wherefore, consequently and on this account shouted aloud and vociferated a certain saying”, “and some another” or “and a few of the people shouted aloud and vociferated other sayings”: “for the assembly” which means “because, since and on account that the group of gathered people” “was confused” or “existed as disturbed, in turmoil, confounded and bewildered. Luke shared how there were different things said by the people who gathered together because they were disturbed and in turmoil.
The verse continues, “and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.” Luke added the words, “and the more part” which means “and the greater and larger number of the people” “knew not wherefore there were come together” or “did not understand, perceive or discern the reason and cause that they were assembled”. Luke shared how most of the people in the assembly did not “know” or understand the reason they were gathered together.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how there was great “confusion” within the crowd gathered in Ephesus. Some of the people shouted a certain thing and others shouted something different, and they were all in great distress and confounded. It seems whenever people refuse and reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, “confusion” and “disturbance” becomes the norm of their lives. Jesus came to forgive the sins of people, and He will grant them “eternal” or “age abiding” life when they believe and trust in Him. Rather than chaos and confusion, peace comes. God loves people, and He knows without Him the world offers turmoil and bewilderment. Those who are wise allow Jesus Christ who is the “Prince of Peace” to enter their lives and bring them calm in their spirits.
Next time Luke shares how, “they drew Alexander out of the multitude”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment