The Importance of "Us"

I find great comfort in the little word "us" in Acts 20:5. Click here to read Acts 20:1-16. 

"Us" indicates that Luke, the author of Acts, is once again joining Paul's entourage. We met Luke first in Troas on Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 16:10). He stayed behind in Philippi where he remained until the end of Paul's third missionary journey (our reading for today). 

Why is "us" so important? It reminds us that Luke is an eyewitness to these events. Eutychus, the young man who was raised from the dead, is not just a name to Luke. Luke was there in that warm upper room, He saw firsthand our God's power to raise the dead. 

As we read the rest of Acts, notice the details in the account. Paul walks to Assos. The small islands they visited. 

Eyewitnesses add these details not because of some grand design, but because he is caught up in telling you what happened. During the shipwreck in Acts 27, there are many of these kinds of little details. He was there, risking his life with Paul. 

I share this with you because Luke is also the author of the gospel of Luke. From Acts we know that he spent 2 years in Israel, plenty of time to do the research, ask the eyewitnesses, and record what he learned. It was only because he was certain that Jesus' tomb was empty that he was willing to join Paul on that dangerous trip to Rome (Acts 27-28). 

We are on this daily Journey to the Empty Tomb so that the Holy Spirit can give us the confidence that Luke had. When we know the Easter Tomb was empty, we know that someday our tombs will be empty. "Because I live, you also shall live" (John 14:19).

The Importance of "Covenant"

Our Old Testament lesson consists of two companion psalms (read Psalm 105-106 here). 

Psalm 105 starts with the LORD remembering is covenant or oath to Abraham. The rest of the psalm recounts the LORD's faithfulness to that covenant. The psalmist recounts the LORD's faithfulness in action:

• To the patriarchs
• To Joseph
• To Moses through all the plagues (7 of the 10 plagues are referenced)
• Quail and water during their wilderness journey
• Finally entrance into the promised land.

For he remembered his holy promise
    given to his servant Abraham.

Ours is a God who is faithfulness to his covenant promises. He remembers and acts to save his people. 

Psalm 106

This second psalm traces the unfaithfulness of God's people and the consequences they suffered. That pattern is seen in each of us as well.

• They rebel when faced with destruction at the Red Sea
• They tested God, grumbling because they didn't have food
• They rebelled against Moses' leadership at the time of Dathan and Abiram
• They refused to trust the Lord could bring them into the promised land

Their unfaithfulness (and ours) goes on and on. But notice how the psalm ends.

For their sake he remembered his covenant
    and out of his great love he relented.

Reading this psalm makes me long for the Lord's Supper where I will taste the Lord's New Covenant in the bread and wine, the body and blood of my Savior. The covenant promise of Jeremiah 31:31-34

1. Sins no longer remembered
2. A new identity - The LORD claims me as his own
3. A new way of thinking - the LORD will put his law into my mind and heart
4. A new way of acting - the LORD will enable me to acknowledge him as my God through a changed life.

As we experience the pain that our sin brings into our lives, we join the ancient singer with renewed confidence. Jesus has risen just as surely as Eutychus came back to life. The LORD remembers his covenant,

"Hosanna! Save us, O LORD our God that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise" (Psalm 106:47).