Be Ready to Raise the Dead

The apostle Paul is in Troas ministering to the church in a lengthy service.

Paul clearly has much to say to this church since his plan is to leave in the morning for his next destination. As he ministers well into the night, one who is listening to Paul preach in the third story of the building falls from the window to his death. Acts 20:7-12 tells us this story.

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

This young man named Eutychus just couldn’t stay awake. Eutychus was a common name of a slave. Perhaps this was who he was. His name means “one well-fated, to be fortunate.” Perhaps this young man was sitting in the window to get some cool air from the night. For whatever reason, this tragedy occurred. The church had gathered to hear this eminent apostle. They had broken bread, had communion, and celebrated the sacrifice of Jesus. I’m sure Paul was imparting spiritual truth to them to strengthen their faith. He had spoken for a long time when this young man simply fell asleep and in their midst fell from the third story to the ground.

He died. What a heartbreaking occurrence. What had been such a life-changing day drinking in the wisdom and impartation of this apostle seems to end tragically. We are told that as Paul raised him from the dead he told them “not to be troubled.” This word troubled is the Greek word thorubeo, and it means “a tumult, disturb, make a noise, set in an uproar.” In other words, things were chaotic and in a catastrophic state. People were in a condition of fear and complete upheaval. However, the apostle Paul was not just carrying a kingdom of word, but also of power.

We are told in First Corinthians 4:20 that the kingdom of God is not a philosophy, but a power.

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

The sad fact is, much of western Christianity has relegated the gospel to one of reason, when it is to be one of resurrection power. Paul tells us in First Corinthians 2:4-5 that any word he spoke had to release the power of God. Otherwise people’s faith would be in just words rather than a present-day experience of the power of God.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The wisdom of men will never hold people in difficult times. Experience in the power of God, however, will hold us and propel us through those times. People must be equipped with the resurrection power of God and not just good teaching. In Joshua 24:31 we are told that succeeding generations failed to follow the Lord because they knew nothing of His power. It is only the power of God mixed with good doctrine that holds us sufficiently.

Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the Lord which He had done for Israel.

We do not know what Paul taught on this night in Troas. However, we do know that he raised up a dead young man. This is what is remembered about that night. This is what the conversation was about the next day and for many days. No one probably knew what Paul’s message had been. They did remember the resurrection power of Jesus flowing into this boy though.

Another thing this speaks to me about is that Paul didn’t have to stop and get ready to raise this young man from the dead. Paul lived his life in a ready state. What I mean by this is that he walked in such a way with the Lord that whatever was needed in the moment, Paul was prepared to confront the challenge. In Second Timothy 4:2 we see Paul exhorting Timothy to always be ready.

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

We are to always be walking full of faith, rich in the word, and filled with the Spirit. We are to keep ourselves in a readied state. Whether we know something is needed ahead of time or it is thrust upon us, we are prepared in our spirit. This was clearly where Paul was. He was ready in season and out. When this young man fell to his death, Paul could jump into action and change an otherwise dire circumstance. The result was that what would have been catastrophic became a time of great comfort.

Lord, as we stand in Your Courts, I ask that I would live my life in readiness. Help me not to live a compromising life but one of consecration. Allow this to please speak before You and Your Courts. Let it be known that I am a person who is ready in season and out of season. That should there be a need of resurrection life, I carry it with me wherever I go. Use me, Lord, as Your vessel to touch lives, even in an instant, should it be necessary. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

The result of this resurrection was comfort. This is the Greek word parakaleo. It means “to call near.” In other words, this resurrection spoke volumes to those present. It testified that they were called near. It spoke to them that they were the chosen of the Lord and that His favor was on them. There is nothing like the confirming and affirming life of God. It erases and eradicates doubts, fears, and uncertainty from our life. It makes us bold and sure in our God. When this young man was raised back to life, not only were they comforted that they would not live life without him, but they were assured that God was with them. When you know God is with you, nothing can overwhelm you. It doesn’t matter anymore who is against you. Romans 8:31-39 speaks to this assurance.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The idea is not that we won’t have things and people against us. The idea is they are of no consequence when the Lord is for us. When we are aware of the love wherewith He loves us, it makes us more than conquerors. Even though we are “killed” for His sake all day, every day, we believe in the resurrection power of Jesus. To be “killed” speaks of the trouble, emotional strain, and pressures we are under. However, because of His love we overcome! Any charge brought against us is dismissed and revoked because we are the chosen of our God.

When this young man was raised, it called these people near and placed a boldness deep in their hearts. This is what an experience in the resurrection power of Jesus does for us. When you know that death itself is subject to Him, nothing can intimidate you and hold you in fear. You will serve Him and give your life if necessary with a confidence of His resurrection power.

Lord, I ask that it be recorded in Your Courts that I die daily because I believe in Your resurrection life. Therefore, would You allow this life to flow in me and through me to others. I am convinced that nothing can ultimately destroy me. You have power over all things, even death. No one is able to bring a charge against me because of Your blood that speaks for Me. You Yourself are praying and making intercession for me. Therefore, I am more than a conqueror. Your resurrection power causes me to always triumph and prevail. I am unstoppable and victorious in all things because of Your resurrection life. I ask that this would be presented before Your Courts. As a result of this, may You show Yourself glorious on my behalf. In Jesus’ Name, amen.