Acts (MsgB) 19: 24-31
[24] A certain silversmith, Demetrius, conducted a brisk trade in the manufacture of shrines to the goddess Artemis, employing a number of artisans in his business. [25] He rounded up his workers and others similarly employed and said, “Men, you well know that we have a good thing going here— [26] and you’ve seen how Paul has barged in and discredited what we’re doing by telling people that there’s no such thing as a god made with hands. A lot of people are going along with him, not only here in Ephesus but all through Asia province. [27] “Not only is our little business in danger of falling apart, but the temple of our famous goddess Artemis will certainly end up a pile of rubble as her glorious reputation fades to nothing. And this is no mere local matter—the whole world worships our Artemis!” [28] That set them off in a frenzy. They ran into the street yelling, “Great Artemis of the Ephesians! [29] Great Artemis of the Ephesians!” They put the whole city in an uproar, stampeding into the stadium, and grabbing two of Paul’s associates on the way, the Macedonians Gaius and Aristarchus. [30] Paul wanted to go in, too, but the disciples wouldn’t let him. [31] Prominent religious leaders in the city who had become friendly to Paul concurred: “By no means go near that mob!”
Trouble’s brewing once more.
Paul and his School for Christian Discipleship and Holy Spirit Ministry is becoming so effective in its ability to train and equip young leaders for the cause of Christ, it’s beginning to actually change the cultural climate of the city of Ephesus and the surrounding region. This, as we’ve discussed earlier, is no small feat. Ephesus is the second largest city of the Roman Empire, thus the second largest city in the known world, right behind Rome, the nation’s capital. A booming metropolis of over 250,000 in population is being turned on its ear. ‘The Way’ is becoming so influential, as Jesus radically changes and re-arranges the way people live, that the local economy is being affected as well. This great Roman city, which has long been known as the home of the goddess Artemis and the great temple built in her honor, is now starting to wake up. Religious strongholds are being torn down. Cultural monuments are being challenged. The status quo is no longer being accepted. All heaven is breaking out on the streets.
No longer are the masses of people showing up at the temple of Artemis, offering their sacrifices and paying their high respect. As a center of tourism, all of the merchants attached to the worship of Artemis are beginning to feel the pinch in their wallets. The tour buses from all around the Roman Empire are no longer rolling onto the temple grounds four times per day. The sale of religious trinkets and statuettes, made to glorify the goddess Artemis, is way down. Those who have long made their wages by producing these religious knick-knacks are ticked off to say the least.
Such it is when God revives a people, a city, a nation.
To get a proper handle on this outpouring of God’s presence in Ephesus, we can compare it quite possibly to a revival in America’s second largest city, Los Angeles. In our case, quite possibly the movie and TV industry could serve in our example as the goddess we’ve long worshiped. Just imagine a move of God that so transforms the people of America that the movers and shakers in Hollywood are getting worried. The profits of the big entertainment networks are being cut in half. People’s lifestyles are changing so dramatically that their viewing habits of TV, movies, concerts, and even the internet are being radically transformed. Now that, my friends, would be revival!
So now that we get the picture of what revival is doing in Ephesus, we might better understand why some are getting pretty angry. While all this good God-activity is radically transforming people’s lives, it’s also disrupting the status-quo of the existing religious systems and messing with the good ‘ole boy network that has long controlled the purse strings of Ephesus. And, believe me, whenever a move of God begins to shake up those arenas, you better watch out!
So now the mob scene occurs. Radical transformation of a society is never an easy thing. Nor is it necessarily a popular thing. History shows us that radical change does come regularly to all societies, but the key question to ask is what type of change are we talking about and who’s behind that change. In most cases, it’s men and women of power who are behind radical change, but here in Ephesus in 54 AD, the radical change agent is God, Himself. It’s His transforming Kingdom power that is spreading through the land, ushering people into the good news that Jesus has come, saving us from our selfishness and sin. It’s His upward lift in people’s day-to-day lives that is shaking Ephesus to the core. And just like in Jerusalem in 33 AD, there were many who embrace that upward lift of Jesus but there are many more who actually hate it and want it stopped immediately.
I really appreciate the wisdom of the disciples, Gaius and Aristarchus, and some of the city leaders who come to Paul with wise counsel, exhorting him to stay away from this angry mob. Not only was this a wise move as it protected Paul from being torn apart, but it also was a good move in not further inciting those who were already on the war path.
Today, in our nation, there are many voices calling for radical change. Like in the days of the first century, there are many playing the game of politics, hoping that radical transformation of America can come through earthly power and persuasive talk. At times, this tug of war over the political reigns of this nation looks as though it could easily spill over into violence. With one slight misstep or one overt action or re-action, I truly believe we might see a social uprising unlike anything our nation has seen. It’s vitally important for us then, as followers of Jesus, to look to the only true source of real radical transformation, and allow Jesus to lead us and guide us during these tumultuous times.
Like Gaius and Aristarchus, let’s keep our heads in the midst of these changing and turbulent times. And as it was in Ephesus so long ago, may God have His way in bringing His transformation and glory to our fallen world.
My prayer: Lord, revival is messy. Your upward lift, while bringing radical transformation to many also brings out the realities of the greed and selfishness within us as well. As Your power and presence increase in the days ahead, may we, as followers of Christ, keep our head and allow Your wisdom to prevail in situations that look to explode into violence. The war is on. But might we always look for ways to decrease the tension rather than fuel it. For Your name’s sake. Amen.
My questions to ponder: Revival always brings both good fruit into people’s lives and it stirs up controversy and tension. So where around me is the upward lift of Jesus and His advancing Kingdom challenging the status quo of my life and the lives of others? How can I better prepare myself to become a man or woman of wisdom, like Gaius and Aristarchus, and some of the city leaders who remained calm in tense situations, bringing wisdom to the situation rather than inciting more conflict?
So what is God speaking to you today? Have YOU experienced God today?
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