Odd Stories from the Bible
Eutychus: Acts 20:7-12
When you’re telling a joke you often set the stage: “A guy walks into a bar …” and this odd story from the Bible is no different, but it’s no joke: “A guy falls out a window …” Questions begin to form in your mind so you read the story. Eutychus, whose name means fortunate or good fortune, was a young guy who wanted to hear Paul preach and he almost missed his chance. After undoubtedly working all day he gathered with other believers on this Sunday to celebrate Holy Communion, have a fellowship meal, and hear an encouraging message. Thinking ahead, he took his place by the window on the third story, recognizing that all the oil lamps burning would make the room stuffy and smokey and he settled in. Not weird so far.
As the preaching progressed, probably longer than anyone expected (midnight), Eutychus did what anyone could do; he fell asleep! Could happen to anyone, right? If fact, if you look around on a Sunday morning you’ll see a few eyelids slowly closing as well! You’d think Paul would notice people were getting drowsy, but nope, he kept right on going until he was forced to take a break. Eutychus literally fell out the window and died … right there, in front of everyone! No one could’ve predicted this mysterious story and you have to chuckle when you look at it from Paul’s perspective.
He went down and gathered this fortunate man telling everyone not to be upset because life in back in him: Eutychus became the tenth person in the Bible to be raised from the dead! All that before dinner! What did Paul do then but go back upstairs, serve Communion, eat a meal, and pick up where he left off preaching until daybreak! What? Didn’t he learn anything?
Why would God include this funny, and yet serious story? First of all, it keeps us from putting God in a box and thinking we can predict Him. Not every believer who gets sick or harmed receives healing like this, however, we can remember there’s wholeness in heaven. Secondly, what’s the upper or spiritual spin on this weird story? How about this, can we be lulled to sleep when we’re emotionally tired or we get too comfortable in faith, and begin to fall away from the Lord? Those times can be dangerous, we can take a spiritual fall, consequently, we need other believers to come alongside and speak life back into our souls. It was a ‘midnight call’ for Eutychus, almost laughable, but thankfully God didn’t choose this story to give pastors unlimited time in their sermons. He used the scenario to bring great comfort and encouragement to everyone as the story ends. Jesus still raises the dead and he uses His Body, you and me, to speak life. You may not physically raise someone, but I hope you’ll be more aware of those who have fallen out an invisible window and help them back up.
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