And now behold I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Acts 20:25
Some years ago, while my wife visited her father in the hospital, I took the opportunity to drop into the veterans nursing home next door to visit my Uncle Dave. He was bright and cheery, glad to see me, and we spent a pleasant hour talking about old times and some of his fascinating experiences. He was a famous story teller, and I loved to hear the accounts from his very interesting life. Although he was in failing health, he seemed to be fairly well that day, and I looked forward to seeing him again soon, and told him so. It was not to be. Within a few weeks, his health deteriorated rapidly, and he was gone. Most of us can tell similar stories about folks who we saw on an occasion that turned out to be the last time we saw them alive. We have also parted company with people who may well be still alive today but who we know we will never see again here on earth. If only we could give them a final message of farewell, as Paul was doing in today’s text.
The Ephesian elders were sad to hear Paul’s words, because they loved him and owed him so much. His work among them was directly responsible for their spiritual welfare. Not only had they been saved through his preaching but they had been taught by him in the doctrines of Christian living, in Assembly principles, and in faithful service. He was their spiritual hero, and they were deeply grieved to hear they would never see him again. So his farewell message would fall on attentive ears. They would take his words to heart and seek to seek to honour the apostle by obedience to his message. Perhaps some of the preachers you heard during the past year you will never hear again, or some of those whose ministry you will enjoy in this coming year will be heard by you for the final time. These faithful men will indeed give their final messages someday, and we do well to be mindful of that as we listen to them. I recall how much the Assembly in Sussex appreciated a visit from Art Ward a few years back, not knowing that our dear brother was just a couple of weeks away from a fatal accident. Final messages, even if we don’t realize that they are final, are to be heeded.
There was no uncertainty in Paul’s mind that this was his final address to the Ephesian elders. So he pulled no punches; he was direct and powerful in his warnings and in his entreaties. But there is good reason to believe that Paul always preached like that. So should the preachers today, not knowing if their audience will ever hear them again. And we who listen should take heed to their words, just as we would want others to take heed to our final words to them. -Jim MacIntosh