Steven A. Bush - October 25, 2015
The Miletus Touch
As Paul's third missionary journey winds down, he makes an important stop in the port city of Miletus. From Miletus Paul summons the elders from the church in Ephesus to come meet with him, expecting this to be the final time. Acts 20:22-24 says: "And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (ESV) Paul loves these brothers and spent two-plus years pouring his life into them. His message to these tear-filled pastors is heartfelt, full of both encouragement and warning. Acts 20:28 continues: "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." (ESV) Peter's first epistle echoed the same pastoral charge--to feed and care for God's flock. For who or what would we sacrifice a child or grandchild? Yet God gave His beloved Son to create the family of God of which we are members. The blood-bought church, won by Christ, is precious: it's precious to Him, and likewise, precious to us.