By Robert Austell
What would you say to a loved one if you were going away for a long time? What is most important for the loved one to hear you say? What does this person need to know about you?
There is some initial narrative in Acts 20 about Paul’s travel, but in verse 17 we find him calling together the elders of the church in Ephesus for a farewell message. It is in this chapter that we find out that Paul has been their “pastor” for three years (verse 31). He has taught them, shared in God’s showing up with them, and faced conflict and challenges with them. In this case, he doesn’t expect to return or see them again. So what does he say?
Paul challenges the elders to “shepherd the flock” (verse 28). He warns that “wolves will come in” (verse 29), even from among the community itself (verse 30). So he tells them to be alert. They will need to distinguish what is true from what is false. But he also commends to them the “message of God’s grace” to build them up (verse 32). He also urges support of the weak and prays with them (verse 36). Truth and grace for the building up of the community and the weak: that’s a theme we will see again for Ephesus!
Consider the meaning of truth and grace in a Christian community and in your own life. What does each mean? How do they interrelate? Why is this important for the building up of the community?
For further study: read quickly through the book of Ephesians with the message of “truth and grace for the building up of the community and the weak” in mind. Perhaps even write that out on a card to refer to as you read Ephesians. I think you’ll be surprised at what you find!
- When interviewing Jesus before his crucifixion. Pilate famously asked, “What is truth?” How would you define godly truth? How do you experience the Bible revealing godly truth?
- How would you define grace and how does it relate to truth? Why are both important in Christian community and beyond? What happens when truth or grace is missing or overemphasized?
- What other details did you notice in today’s reading?
Prayer: God of grace and truth, cultivate in us a love of others marked by your grace and your truth. Bless this Christian community that it be known for these inseparable traits. Amen.
