11-12 God did powerful things through Paul, things quite out of the ordinary. The word got around and people started taking pieces of clothing—handkerchiefs and scarves and the like—that had touched Paul’s skin and then touching the sick with them. The touch did it—they were healed and whole.
13-16 Some itinerant Jewish exorcists who happened to be in town at the time tried their hand at what they assumed to be Paul’s “game.” They pronounced the name of the Master Jesus over victims of evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus preached by Paul!” The seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were trying to do this on a man when the evil spirit talked back: “I know Jesus and I’ve heard of Paul, but who are you?” Then the possessed man went berserk—jumped the exorcists, beat them up, and tore off their clothes. Naked and bloody, they got away as best they could.
17-20 It was soon news all over Ephesus among both Jews and Greeks. The realization spread that God was in and behind this. Curiosity about Paul developed into reverence for the Master Jesus. Many of those who thus believed came out of the closet and made a clean break with their secret sorceries. All kinds of witches and warlocks came out of the woodwork with their books of spells and incantations and made a huge bonfire of them. Someone estimated their worth at fifty thousand silver coins. In such ways it became evident that the Word of the Master was now sovereign and prevailed in Ephesus.
God did powerful things through Paul, and even his handkerchiefs and scarves could become a means of healing the sick. And the Name of Master Jesus was also exalted as people saw that the evil spirits knew the name of Jesus and God was behind all these events. People grew into reverence for Jesus and some witches even openly burned their books of magic.
Dear Master Jesus, You demonstrate Your powerful presence when Your work is done through us. We see how people are converted; ministries are proceeded; and Your Name is exalted. But at the same time, I trust that You still demonstrate Your Presence and Love when the works are not being done in our way. Illnesses are not healed though we repeated pray for; men's hearts are still hardened though faithful witnesses and sharing of God's words have been made; the churches are still in a stagnant condition while earnest prayers for revival have continuously been asked. By faith, we know that Jesus is here. He speaks to us in a gentle voice; He affirms His Presence; He promises His being with us though the road is unclear and full of hurdles; He is our Friend and Savior in walking together on the road to heavenly eternity.
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