The Pilgrim Path---Acts 19: 21 – 41

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 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.”

When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companion’s in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 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!”

And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 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.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

“…YOU OUGHT TO BE QUIET”

---The Gospel hit the wallet in Ephesus. The truth was costing certain people money. Ole Demetrius represented a group of silversmiths. He let it be known that this “Paul fellow” was telling people that the gods they “fashioned” for sale---were no gods at all (how dare Paul do that?). But Demetrius used a popular “idol” in Ephesus: he let it be known---that Paul’s teaching was against Artemis---the goddess of the city (and her temple was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World---mammoth and inviting to all comers). Uh OH---home grown revolt brewing!

---The Serious Ephesians who agreed with Demetrius---made their way to the city Center! Time to uphold the cult of Artemis---and all associated with her. Crowds draw crowds ---and sometimes people show up---just for the fun of it. Sheer excitement and energy. And the chorus was “Artemis is great---Artemis IS Ephesus!”---or stuff pretty close. Wow---for nearly two hours the shouts are raised. Many associated with the Apostle Paul are dragged before the throng (bet they were nervous---even fearing for their lives).

---The Town Clerk of Ephesus finally let the mob know that none of those accused had blasphemed the goddess (Artemis). He tells them that if Demetrius the silversmith (or any of his friends) thought so---they could “use” the courts. Otherwise---they were all about to see the inside of the local jail for riot and unlawful assembly. Great common grace insight!

---The idol business: One of the Early Church Fathers, Tertullian, had a man say to him after he had come to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ---“I have made idols for a living---that is all I have known how to do. What am I supposed to do now? HOW am I to make a living?” Tertullian said to him: “Must you LIVE?” In other words---The God-Man---died and rose for you, you do not dishonor Christ---You find another way to make a living---and thus honor HIM in ALL of LIFE!

From James Boice: The Christians did not have a mass rally. They did not send Christians into the amphitheater to do their thing, the way Demetrius and his crew had gotten people together to do his thing. They didn’t sing emotional songs. They did exactly what Jesus Christ had done and what he had sent them into the world to do: They preached the gospel so that men and women got converted, and once they were converted they taught them how to live for Jesus Christ…That is the way. It by teaching the Word and by following hard after Jesus Christ…

Meanwhile on the other side of the world:

---More than 2,187 people have died because of Russian attacks in Mariupol, Ukraine, alone---according to officials there (Veronika Melkozerova / Kyiv / for The Atlantic).

---The UN on Friday said it had no evidence Ukraine had a biological weapons program while Washington and its allies accused Russia of spreading the unproven claim as a possible prelude to launching its own biological chemical attacks (Reuters).

---Chernihiv issued a warning of country-wide air attacks on Tuesday, urging citizens to shelters…

---NATO has amassed 30,000 troops and 50 warships near Russia’s border for military exercises…

---Russia is spiraling toward a $150 Billion Default Nightmare (Bloomberg).

---President Zelensky (Ukraine) will have a “livestream” address to the U.S. Congress today (3—16—22).

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24: 6

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 20

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason