TUESDAY October 10, 2023
A City Filled With Confusion
Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.
Acts 19:28-29
In Ephesus, an angry mob flooded the streets. In unison, they loudly began to chant, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” This sudden disturbance became an enormous, city-wide riot. Crowds of angry people rushed into the theater. Imagine 25,000 people suddenly packing out all the available seats! As they stood shouting, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” The noise must have been deafening!
During the uproar, Paul’s traveling companions, Gaius, and Aristarchus, were snatched, and these innocent men were dragged into the theater. In such a hostile atmosphere, anyone opposing an allegiance to the goddess Diana was in great danger of being harmed or killed.
One of the dangers of being a missionary is martyrdom. When Jim Elliot and other missionaries tried to preach the Gospel to a hostile, Ecuadorian tribe, they were killed. The purpose of their journey was for these lost tribes to come to know Christ. They all agreed that if threatened by them, they would not use force. They would willingly allow themselves to be killed.
On January 8, 1956, Jim Elliot and his friends––Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian––were attacked and speared to death. News of their deaths was broadcasted over the world. In the following years, the widows of these courageous men led them to Christ.
Jim Elliot fulfilled the purpose for which God intended. Are you fulfilling yours?
The Lord has done what I wanted Him to do this week. I wanted, primarily, peace about going into pioneer Indian work. And as I analyze my feelings now, I feel quite at ease about saying that tribal work in South American jungles is the general direction of my missionary purpose.
~Jim Elliot~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
