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.

Acts 20:7-12 (NKJV)

   On this particular Sunday, the apostle Paul was doing what he loved---he was preaching the Word. And while he was preaching a very lengthy message, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep and fell out of the third story window. Thud! And he died! Now, this is more than just a warning about falling asleep in church, or preaching long, boring sermons---much more. You see, churches are full of hurting people---many on the outside looking in. I call them “window sill” Christians. They are spectators for many reasons. Some may have been hurt by the church, by a pastor, or by other Christians. Others suffer from low self-esteem and rejection. But, even with all of that, they still want to be connected---but only at a distance. And then the day comes when you look over at the window sill and they’re not there anymore. Now, the fault of many churches is that they don’t miss them at all. But when this young man fell, Paul, who was doing something very important, knew that there was something more important to do. He stopped preaching and ran down the stairs to the young man. Then he fell on him and embraced him. That tells me of the humility and servant heart of Paul. Humility often involves kneeling or bowing. Jesus did that the night He washed the disciples’ feet. Being a servant often involves risk and even embarrassment. Paul wasn’t too proud to fall upon this young man and embrace him. Embracing is something many are afraid to do. Oh, we might embrace someone if they look like us, smell like us, and act like us. Jesus, our perfect example, embraced all of mankind when He went to the cross and stretched His arms wide. Paul then spoke life into the young man. He said, “Don’t worry---there is life in him!” “Window sill” Christians need to know they are loved and that life is in them. They have worth and purpose and desperately need encouraging. What they don’t need is another sermon! And I’m a preacher!

   So, what happens when the church reaches down to lift someone up? Verse 12 in The Message puts it like this: they were “full of life themselves.” Restoration does that to a church. It brings life to everyone involved. What would happen in our church---in every church, if people started serving, embracing and encouraging those on the edge of giving up? I think it’s called REVIVAL. Oh, and there’s one other thing. Paul didn’t make a big deal out of the young man being brought back to life. You see, the supernatural is natural for God. Paul had a bite to eat and resumed his teaching until dawn. It must have been a three part sermon and Paul was certainly going to get all three parts in.

   Do you know any “window sill” Christians that need serving, embracing, and encouraging? I thought so.


Free Indeed,   Harold Watkins