Acts 20:7-12 - Eutychus returned to life

Paul had stayed in Troas for seven days. On Sunday, the first day of the week, Paul and the believers gathered to break bread. This is understood to be the communion. Intending to leave the next day, Paul took a longer time to speak to the people. He prolonged his ministry of the word till midnight. The place where this ministry took place was a packed upper room, located on the third floor of a building. It was lit up by many lamps.

Verse 9 introduced us to Eutychus, a young man who was listening to Paul. He was seated sleepily at the window sill. His sleepiness was not helped by the crowded room and the fume that the many lamps must have released. Overcame by sleep, he fell three floors down. When they picked him up he was dead. Paul quickly went down, and like Elijah and Elisha, spread himself over the young man and embraced him. Assuring the people, he told them not to be troubled for Eutychus was alive.

Having brought the young man to life again, Paul returned to the upper room and continued to minister. They then had the communion followed by a fellowship meal. Meanwhile Paul continued to talk to them a long while. As it was already daybreak, so he left. The people then took Eutychus home and were greatly comforted.  

This passage has two key figures: Paul and Eutychus. This incidence did not disrupt Paul from fulfilling his larger ministry. He dealt with it and then continued ministering. For some, ministry would have halted at this juncture. Then there was Eutychus, raised from the dead. His coming back to life had brought immeasurably comfort to the people. Everything went well and he was taken home.

More dangerous than physical sleepiness is the sleepiness of the soul and spirit. We can just go through the motion of attending church. We sing praises, hear the sermon, and listen to others pray, yet find no connection with God. We may be in church and simply present, while others are worshipping. We remain on the outside and not really present to spiritual things. It’s time to wake up from our spiritual stupor and be alive, be committed to serving, be connected to the wonders of an awesome God and worship Him. Remember this story, Eutychus though really dead now, still speaks!