Luke the beloved physician shared how Paul, “came to Ephesus, and left” those with him “there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul, “bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you” where we read:
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem:
but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
The verse reads, “But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem:”: Luke began with the words, “but bade them farewell” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover withdrew and separated himself from the Ephesians”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “I must by all means” which means “I, Paul, have need and duty in each, every, the whole and everyone of the ways to” “keep this feast” or “make ready, prepare and execute the festival or holy day” “that comes in Jerusalem” which means “that arises, appears and enters within Jerusalem whose name means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “Ephesians” goodbye by letting them know he needed to attend the “feast” that was about to occur in “Jerusalem”.
The verse goes on to say, “but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.” Luke continued with the words, “but I will return again unto you” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Paul, will come back to you, Ephesian people, another time”, “if God will” which means “whether and in case the Heavenly Father God intends, desires and has this in mind”. “And he sailed” or “and Paul launched out to sea” “from Ephesus” which means “apart and separate from the city of Ephesus whose name means permitted and was a maritime city of Asia Minor, capital of Ionia and under the Romans, of proconsular Asia, situated on the Icarian Sea between Smyrna and Miletus”. Luke shared how “Paul” promised the people of “Ephesus” to come back to them if God desired for it to be so.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” told the people of “Ephesus” goodbye, and he promised to return to them if the Lord desired it. “Paul” was led by the Holy Spirit of God, and his desire was to minister the “gospel of Jesus Christ” to every person with whom he made contact. “Paul” wanted to attend the “feast” in “Jerusalem”, so he was unable to continue with the “Ephesians” at this time. “Paul” would visit the people of “Ephesus” again (See Acts 20:17), but at this time he would leave them. God loves people, and He is everywhere they are located. Sometimes people desire certain “human beings” to continue with them but are unable to remain, however, God is with them all the time. Let all who read these words know God desires a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus, and when they need Him to be with them, He is always there.
Next time Luke shares how Paul, “went down to Antioch”, 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