Unexpected Help in Danger

Introduction

Last week we saw how the Holy Spirit worked mightily through Paul in Ephesus. Paul preached Jesus and the Holy Spirit confirmed his message through mightily works, just like how He worked mightily in Jerusalem through Peter in 5:15-16. So many people turned to Christ throughout Asia came to Christ that when they burned their magic books, the total cost was valued at fifty thousand pieces of silver. That means fifty thousand days of wages. It would have taken 5 person to work for more than 27 years non-stop to earn this amount. This bonfire would have made the headline news in those days.

Religion in Ephesus

Temple for Artemis was one of seven wonders of the world

Great economical, cultural, political influence

Functioned like a huge bank in the ancient world

Many inscriptions of name of Artemis and Domitian together on several structures in the city

A place of asylum where fugitives could seek refuge

Artemis was worshiped throughout Asia Minor and the temple at Ephesus was the most influential. Artemis was highly venerated in many cities and was seemingly the source of pride and attraction in each city, there could have been some tension and hidden competition between the temples of Artemis in the various cities in Asia Minor.

Acts 19:26–27 ESV

And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

The idol makers in Ephesus felt that their livelihood was threatened by this new faith in town. It is understandable given their background. They devoted their life in this. They were a part of making the temple for Artemis in Ephesus the leading temple in Asia Minor. They made lots of money and they had prestige and pride in being associated with this trade. In some sense, we can say that their whole sense of identity and self-worth could be at stake. Their sense of threat triggered a fight or flight response, which in this case was to pick a fight. As residents of Ephesus, they must have heard of all the miracles that happened through Paul’s ministry. They would have heard rumors of Paul’s teaching. They might have witnessed the bonfire. And instead of being intrigued into seeking the truth, they felt threatened and turned to attack.

Some people will oppose and attack the truth even though there are clear evidences.

Acts 19:32–34 ESV

Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

A mob formed around the rallying cry of the idol makers and rushed in the theater shouting their slogan. It was a riot. In Korea, protest were usually calm and organized. Sometimes it seems more like a carnival than a protest. But in other countries, it can get really violent. Last year, this streamer in the US wanted to have an event to giveaway some stuff like PS5 and gift cards. But it turned into a riot as thousands of young people gathered. According to ABC News, “At the height of the riot, shouting teenagers swung objects at car windows, threw paint cans and set off fire extinguishers. Some people climbed on a moving vehicle, falling off as it sped away. Others pounded on or climbed atop city buses.” These were just young people who wanted a game console. But with the huge mob, things got out of control. Here in Ephesus, it was a lot more serious. There was a rallying cry by the idol makers. Even so, we read that most of them did not know why they gathered. This is the danger of the mob mentality. They were like sheep following the wrong shepherd. They may not have the same motivations like the idol makers. Their motivation was to maintain the pride of being the leading city in the worship of Artemis.

Some people may oppose the truth out of ignorance.

Acts 19:38–40 ESV

If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”

Matthew 27:24 ESV

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”

In the Roman Empire, riots were a serious affair. The empire was made up of many different people from their conquest. The empire takes a firm stand against any riots. The Roman army can be sent to brutally crush any riots. Pilate would rather crucify Jesus to pacify the crowd rather than to maintain justice and deal with a riot. There was a real danger of Paul here being handed over to them to be killed. It would have been really hard to resolve this situation. Thank God that the town clerk was able to calm them down. I think it was a providence of God. Somehow he worked through the town clerk to pacify the crowd.

No matter what kind of opposition arises, God can bring timely help in time of need.

As we seek to be representatives of Christ in the world, there will be people who hear and believe. But there will always be some who will refuse to believe and stir up opposition. No matter the motivation of why people opposes the gospel, we can count on God to be the one to prove His gospel and send us help in time of need. So, let’s be encouraged to keep being ambassadors of Christ even in challenging situations. Let’s pray.