November 17

Acts 19: 11-20

11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims." 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit said to them in reply, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered them all, and so overpowered them that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. 17 When this became known to all residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, everyone was awestruck; and the name of the Lord Jesus was praised. 18 Also many of those who became believers confessed and disclosed their practices. 19 A number of those who practiced magic collected their books and burned them publicly; when the value of these books was calculated, it was found to come to fifty thousand silver coins. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

The gospel brings healing with it. We are at a loss to explain the miracles described. If we could explain them, they would not be miracles. The fact remains that Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was more than only arguing in the synagogue and reaching out to the Gentiles. It also involved healing those who were sick.

These healings attracted attention and imitation. The problem is not in the technique, it is in the power behind the technique. The name of Jesus is used to heal. The name dropping of Jesus, as the one whom Paul proclaims, does not work. It is easy to over focus on the messenger and to miss the message. In this case it is also dangerous.

Notice too, that becoming a believer also leads to confession. Becoming a disciple of Jesus does not mean that the past is ignored. It is forgiven, which means it can be confessed for what it was. Our pasts do not condemn us, Jesus has forgiven us. Confession helps us break the pattern and gives further encouragement to repentance.

Notice that repentance can be costly. Becoming a believer means leaving the past and its investments behind. Jesus is the word of life. All other claims to power and life are set aside. We do not believe so that we can continue as before. We believe that following Jesus will change us and the world around us.

Reflection questions
1. How does confessing sin change us?
2. Where do you need encouragement in your repentance?
3. Where does the church or society over focus on the leaders and miss the call to mission?