Last words

Acts 20:25-38

²⁵ “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. ²⁶ I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, ²⁷ for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

²⁸ “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. ²⁹ I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. ³¹ Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

³² “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

³³ “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. ³⁴ You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. ³⁵ And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

³⁶ When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. ³⁷ They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. ³⁸ They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

Paul gives his final words to the elders of Ephesus.  I have always wondered what might be the final words I would say to some close friends if I knew I would not see them again.  For Paul, he identifies these will be his last words, important because it gives people a sense of closure.  He reminds them of their sacred task and that things may not always go as expected but that God is faithful. He encourages them and weeps with them showing the depth of relationship he has with them.

What is the depth of relationship you have with those you labour in the Gospel with?

Father, may I build deep and lasting relationships for the sake of the Gospel!

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

You might find this Bible Project video on Acts chapters 21-28 useful at https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/gospel-acts-4