28 Nov 2024
Fell asleep
After supper, Peter and the two sons of Zebedee in Gethsemane fell asleep while Jesus prayed. (Matthew 26.36-44)
After a fellowship meal, a young man - Eutychus - fell asleep while listening to Paul's preaching. And fell to death. Literally.
"On Saturday evening we gathered together for the fellowship meal. Paul spoke to the people and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day. Many lamps were burning in the upstairs room where we were meeting.
A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window, and as Paul kept on talking, Eutychus got sleepier and sleepier, until he finally went sound asleep and fell from the third storey to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead. But Paul went down and threw himself on him and hugged him. “Don't worry,” he said, “he is still alive!” Then he went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. After talking with them for a long time, even until sunrise, Paul left. They took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted."
(Acts 20.7-12 GNB)
The breeze by the window must be nice that evening. Did he eat too much or drank too much wine? Was Paul's talk boring to him? Did he have a tiring day at work before coming? Or did he die so God can do a miracle through Paul and bring glory to God?
He died unexpectedly, but he was raised. What became of this young man after this event?
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