Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye to family and friends is never easy, especially if you have no idea when or if you will see them again. We have moved many times in our 50 years of marriage, and each time, we have left behind many of whom we loved as family. We found that the binding power of the blood of Christ was stronger than that of genetic blood. Thankfully, I have the binding power of the blood of Christ with most of my genetic family,  so living 6 to 13 hours away from them was also hard when it came time to say goodbye. Yet, the hardest goodbye was to my father on his deathbed. While the sorrow of not spending time with him here was great, it was met with the comforting thought of seeing him again in heaven. This was how the Ephesian elders felt in Acts 20 when Paul was leaving them to go to Jerusalem.

As Paul begins his closing remarks to these elders from Ephesus, he tells them that he commends or commits them to God’s safekeeping and to His word of grace. They are to go to God for whatever they need. They are to go to the Word, which will build them up and give them hope for their eternal home. It will also give them answers for daily living.

He reminds them that he did not come for their support; while he should have been supported by them and could have asked, he did not. In most cases we find Paul supporting himself. In Act 18:3, we see Paul working as a tentmaker to support himself.  “And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”

Act 20:32-34  “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” 

He continues to remind them of his life with them and all he has taught them. He wants them to remember to take care of the weak. Those who can not take care of themselves. He uses the words of Jesus, the authority he took his instrustion from. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” What a different world we would have if all people followed this command. If only all those who profess Christ would follow these words, there would be no need for social programs to feed poor Christians. We would take care of our own.

After Paul had finished reminding them of important truths, he kneeled down and prayed with them. The tears began to flow as they embraced him. This was the last time they would see him until they met again in Heaven. I can only imagine how they must have felt. We have moved several times so far away from some friends that we did not know if we would see them again. I left many dear friends that have since gone on to be with Jesus. It is hard sometimes to let go, but I know that those whom I left knew Jesus, and I will see them again.

Act 20:35-38  “I  have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship”

While we may leave those behind who have been instrumental in our faith in Christ, it is not the same. These Christians did not have the Bible as we have it. We not only have God’s word, but we have books upon books, the internet, and many preachers and teachers to help us understand God’s word. One day, we, too, will say goodbye to this world, and we will stand before God. Then, when it is too late, we will have no excuse for not knowing and following His word. It is our laziness and desire to fill our time with the things of this world that keep us from keeping His greatest commandment. Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” When we truly love someone we make sure we spend time with them.

If you have never surrendered your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Think about the terrible day when you stand before God and hear Him say, “I never knew you: depart from me.”  That will be a goodbye you will hear forever in a place where you will experience eternal torment and the presence of God does not exist.