One of the many reasons I am convinced that the Bible isn’t some fabricated story dreamt up by fiction writers is how crazy some of the stories are in it. There are so many things that the human mind could never dream up. There are also so many moments that are written about in such a strange manner that I am convinced no fiction writer would ever write about them that way.

Let me show one of those moments that I saw today as I was reading in the book of Acts.

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. Acts 20:7

I love the fact that Luke, the writer, has picked up on how long Paul is talking. This just makes it so human to me. Luke doesn’t tell us whether what Paul is saying is good, or bad for that matter, but the major comment is that it is long! He continues.

There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on….Acts 20:8-9a

So now we are hearing that Luke definitely reckons the talk has gone on for too long. How funny is that? I’m not sure that Luke is enjoying the content either. Luke is underlining his point by highlighting that one young man can’t handle it any longer and has gone into a deep sleep. Let’s be clear, it’s a deep sleep, not a light one!!!! The story continues.

When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Acts 20:9b

All of a sudden this story has taken a very serious turn, but remember the apostles believed in the power of God to defeat death.

Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate……Acts 20:10-11a

Amazing news, what a miracle!

However I am shocked at how quickly the account moves on from this moment. The Bible isn’t lined with lots and lots of moments of people being raised from the dead. There are a few of course but it still seems to me like this was a significant moment that could have done with a little more focus. Instead Luke tells us that they headed back upstairs and ate together.

But perhaps my favourite moment is the next part of verse 11

After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. Acts 20:7-12

I love that even though Paul seems to have gone “on and on,” and even though a young man feel so asleep that he fell from a 3 story window and died, before being raised from the dead, Paul still is committed to teaching more!!!

Absolutely brilliant!!!!

This passage could have focused on the incredible miracle that occurred and of course that is referenced and celebrated at the end but how little attention is focused on it is baffling to me. Instead Luke draws as much attention to the length of the talk than the miracle. I’m unsure why but I love it! The next time someone points out that my talk was a little long I will be pointing them back to Acts 20 and read how committed I am to teaching!!