The Seven Sons of Sceva are in over their heads as they come across something far more heinous than they’ve encountered so far. Eliezer learns that witchcraft doesn’t necessarily pan out as he originally thought it would. Sosthanes discovers Paul’s work in Ephesus to be every bit as fruitful as it was in Corinth, if not even more so.
Acts 19:11-15; 2 Corinthians 11:21-29; 2 Timothy 2:2-4
…
Bursting into the tiny home, Yedaiah heaves the door wide open so as to let the sun blind the eyes of those peering back at him. “My brothers, my brothers!” He yells. “Get up and dust yourselves off.” He crouches into his warrior position and says with bravado. “We’ve… got… our next job!”
Upon hearing the word “job”, Immer’s eyes light up. He then asks, “What is it? What is it?”
Without moving from his bed, Harim smirks at the familiar yet exhausting exuberance of his younger brother, “So… does this one pay?”
Brimming with enthusiasm, Yedaiah explains to Immer, “Listen, those vendors who sell olive oil… you know the ones who attend synagogue?”
With his eyes still closed, Harim snorts. “You mean the large ones? They probably eat more of their oil than sell it. Drink it straight out of the jug.”
Yedaiah deadpans at Harim and eventually shakes his head disapprovingly. He then looks back at Immer with his previous enthusiasm. “Well they heard about what we have been doing as of late and told me that they have been forced out of their home.”
“What?” Immer puzzles. “Wait… why?”
Yedaiah, impatiently waves Immer off and says, “Let me continue here. The guy’s brother has been living with them for a long time, see? And he has become so cantankerous, so foul that he has threatened them with their lives on many occasions. I swear, the guy is definitely possessed! It’s gotten so bad that it has become more than they could take, so they literally have been forced to live in a tent next to the community olive press on the other side of the wall.”
“Seriously?” Immer asks. “You think he’s possessed?”
“Hands down!” Yedaiah replies. “This guy is known for his outright temper tantrums, even when nobody is with him. People can hear him from the street. His neighbors are beyond afraid of this guy.”
Betraying a new look of nervousness, Immer catches Yedaiah’s eye.
“What is it?” Yedaiah asks.
“Nothing.” Immer responds. “I just…”
“What?” Yedaiah grows impatient.
“I don’t know if we’re ready for this.” Immer replies. “I mean… I think we are, but…”
“Will you relax?” Yediahs retorts. “Listen, we’ve seen others successfully do this. We’ve seen Father successfully do this. And, we’re off to a really good start with all of this as well.” He shifts his gaze over to Harim who threatens to drift back to sleep. “Besides… We’ve got the name of Jesus. What else do we need?”
With fists clenched, Yedaiah then pounces on top of an unsuspecting Harim who grunts upon his landing. “And… yes, Nimrod, we’ve been paid.” He announces proudly as he opens his fists to reveal three bronze coins with the heads of Claudius and Agripinna upon them.
…
Outside of the city gates, a narrow pathway flails along the brush and towards an olive grove. Nearing the grove, Eliezer and a small group of elders stroll in a single file line as they engage in a troubling conversation.
“Eliezer…” Elam, one of the elders, calls out from behind. Carefully crafting his words, he continues, “What of the magician?”
Eliezer sighs while carefully choosing his own reply. “Yes? What of him?”
Like a swarm of gnats, a nasal, high pitched voice interrupts with the intent to antagonize, “Yes, Eliezer… This magician that we have paid quite handsomely for his… work… What of him? Meaning, what has he done for us to rid us of our problem child?”
Refusing to turn back, Eliezer winces at the voice and tries not to betray any look of vexation. He then stops in his tracks and calmly turns around to face his antagonists. “The thing about magic…” Eliezer begins, “Is that it entreats the neither world.”
“Yes,” Nasal voice rebuts. “Yes, but magic is about controlling that which it entreats, is it not?”
Eliezer looks up at his aggressor and replies, “No. It doesn’t.
Nasal voice sharply contends, “Oh, and now we’re an expert, are we?”
“It only negotiates.” Eliezer counters. “It only trades. Do you think, even for a moment, that sorcerors really have the power to control the spirits? Do you think that spirits bow to the magician?” He shakes his head. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. No no. It is the other way around. Magicians do not control. They are the ones who need the spirits. Not the other way around. No… They channel. They interact in hopes of making a transaction… an exchange.”
“Eliezer.” Elam weighs in. “Tell us then, what progress have we made with the riddance of the evangelist?”
“That’s just it.” Eliezer replies. “After we ran him off, he has since set up his training operation at another venue. Jews and Greeks alike flock to hear him and his growing band of disciples train. It’s an everyday thing.”
“Yes,” Elam shares. “We are very much aware of his ongoing pursuits. But what of the magician?”
“Let me ask you something.” Eliezer counters. “What do you do when you start hearing the mad ravings of many who claim to have been healed by this man?”
Nasal voice presses in, “Don’t let him distract you from the issue at hand.” He says. “We’ve allowed him to invest heavily in this magician, and he has nothing to show for it.”
“Quiet!” Elam protests with a death stare. “We’ve heard enough from you.” He looks back at Eliezer and says. “What do you mean? What healings?”
Eliezer raises an eyebrow in surprise. “You haven’t heard? This is common knowledge around the city that those who come around Paul are being healed from their illnesses as well as demon possession.” He turns to look out at the olive trees nearby. “It’s like the bigger god has shown up to the party… and that He’s on their side.”
…
A small pod of disciples walk along with Paul down a crowded city street. Among these followers, Sosthanes and Paul finally get to discussing the numerous issues raised by the Corinthian fellowship.
Marvelling at the following of such new and young loyalists, Sosthanes looks at the group and then back at Paul. He shakes his head in disbelief. “I don’t know how you do it.” He says.
Meanwhile, Paul is examining his knees and replies, “Yes… the walking does me good. Every morning, I find that my legs seem to agree less and less with where my mind wishes to take them.” He laughs.
Sosthanes laughs as well and says, “No, I mean your loyal disciples. I’m amazed with how you create such a passionate group of followers.”
Paul looks back at Sosthanes, chuckles to himself and shakes his head. “Everything you see here my friend. This is the Lord’s doing. Not mine.”
The group turns a corner and makes its way into the agora. Paul notices four soldiers chatting amongst themselves. He points and says, “People will follow you when you suffer hardship as a soldier of Christ.” He then looks around at the agora and gestures. “The marketplace brims with trade transactions and thousands of people moving about. Yet, these soldiers don’t care about any of it. They care about one thing… enforcing the peace should any problem flare up. Only at that point, they spring into action and do their jobs, no matter the cost. That’s why they are here… to do the job they have been entrusted to do.”
Sosthanes furrows his brow and stays quiet.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Paul asks. “For me, not unlike these soldiers who have pledged themselves to Claudius… or whoever this Nero character might be… to live is Christ. That’s my one job while I am here. As long as I live in this… well, sometimes less than agreeable body… I am to fruitfully labor as an enlisted grunt, a soldier who works for the one who has entrusted me with this job. I will not deviate from this.”
He stops Sosthanes in his tracks and peers through him. “If you want followers of this devotion, you will need to consecrate yourself as a dedicated soldier above all other interests. If you want to lead… then you’d better be willing to bleed, my friend.”
…
Situated in the outskirts of the city, the larger apartment complex, or insulae, is home to poorer trade workers, farmers who work on leased out land, and migrants who are new to the city.
Walking through the courtyard, the eyes of those milling about weigh heavily on the looming threat of seven young men walking into the courtyard. An older woman batting out the dust of a floor rug peers over at the troublesome gang. With a broom in hand she curtly steps in front of Harim and points her broomstick into his chest.
“What are you miscreants doing in our building?” She accuses.
Caught off guard, Harim raises his arms as if to flag to the seeing world that he has done nothing to instigate this attack on his person.
Seeing the commotion, Yedaiah steps in between them to run interference. “Maam,” He says. “I can assure you that we do not wish to cause any harm here. We’re the good guys.”
Not convinced, she now holds the broomstick against Yedaiah’s chest and says, “State your business, boy.”
“The demon.” Yedaiah asks. “Where is it?”
The elderly lady’s eyes widen with complete surprise and she newly assesses the group of young men in front of her. “Are you…?”
“Here to get rid of it?” Harim finishes her question. “Yes.”
Cutting Harim off, Yedaiah smiles and asks. “Can you show us where it dwells? Or better, in whom it dwells?”
As she continues to process what is happening, Harim interrupts. “Show us which apartment.”
The woman comes to and shakes her head. “Yes… yes. Come with me. Over this way.”
Watching the exchange from several feet away, two more elderly women come over to ask the first elderly woman what is happening.
“They are here to rid us of our problem.” The first one replies.
“What?” The ladies ask.
“The demon.” The first lady responds. “They are going to get rid of the demon.”
“Oh thank you divine mother.” One of the ladies says.
“She has nothing to do with it.” Harim scoffs as he boldly struts by.
Following the older woman, the brothers climb a set of narrow stairways. As the light of day begins to fade behind them, they continue upwards into utter darkness. Reaching an upper floor, the now barely discernible woman points down a pitch black hallway. “He’s down there.” She whispers. “Last door on the left.”
Immer turns towards the darkness and lets out a deep breath. “Focus.” He mutters to himself. “Focus. The name of Jesus of whom Paul preaches. The name of Jesus of whom Paul preaches.” He says again and again.
As if something compels them to stay put, or better… retreat, Harim willfully takes a step forward into the pitch black and life sucking hallway. He mutters to himself, “Death must live here.” He sighs and then with a newly mustered bravado, he calls back in a loud whisper. “You sissies coming?”
Willing their eyes to see anything in the hallway, the brothers slowly make their way down the hallway, checking for doorways with their hands.
Harim whispers out, “Oh it reeks over here guys. Hey, I’m at the end.” He slows his response, as he tries to inhale without using his nose. “It’s right over here.”
The others gather behind Harim as he positions himself in front of the door. “What’s that awful smell?” One of them asks.
“Oh man, this is horrible.” Another replies while trying to hold his breath.
“What’s his name?” Harim asks.
“What?” Another asks back.
“His name. His name.” Harim impatiently whispers back.
Nobody responds.
“Are you kidding me?” Harim sighs. “Morons.” He mutters to himself as he firmly knocks on the door.
Immer trembles as he incessantly chants in his head, “In the name of Jesus of whom Paul preaches. In the name of Jesus of whom Paul preaches.”
An indistinguishable and muffled yell is heard from the otherside of the doorway.
“Here we go.” Harim says as he opens the door.
The stench worsens. The blackened hallway spills into a slightly, less-dim apartment, as the brothers slowly inch their way through the door. Harim strains to look at the ground and sees an endless heap of trash, food, and human waste littered throughout the apartment. He then catches a glimpse of the graffitied walls etched with nail scrapes and… “What is that?” He focuses. “Blood stains?” His arms become rigid as a new fear fully oppresses him.
Scanning the room in search of… in search of… “Where is he?” Harim panics as he begins to hyperventilate. He sharply inhales as he finds what he’s looking for… a solitary silhouetted figure seated only feet away, staring right back at him.
…
We’re going to stop here for today.
The Seven Sons of Sceva find themselves in over their heads as they come across something far more heinous than they’ve encountered so far. What happens with them? You’ll have to tune in next time to find out.
Meanwhile, Eliezer and some of the other leaders of the local Synagogue discover that their exploration into witchcraft doesn’t necessarily pan out as they originally intended. Getting rid of the Syrian Jewish evangelist name Paul turns out to be harder than they thought. Furthermore, Eliezer begins to take an interest in Paul’s successes and wonders if there might be something to them.
Sosthanes arrives in Ephesus and discovers Paul’s work in Ephesus to be every bit as fruitful as it was in Corinth, if not even more so. Learning of how Paul’s training and personal discipling efforts were a priority, Sosthanes is challenged to take another look at his level of dedication to the larger cause of the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul not only demonstrates his activities in real time, he also gives the motivations behind his efforts, by parallelling his own life to that of a relentless, single-minded soldier who has been employed to do the work of Heaven on earth.
There are a few great passages that describe Paul’s devotion as a single minded soldier of Christ. Before touching on them, I love these two passages in James that warn against being double minded and not fully committed.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
— James 1:5-8
Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
— James 4:8-10
As for Paul, here is a sample of his relentless commitment to his cause as a soldier of Christ.
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
— 2 Timothy 2:2-4
Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock?
— 1 Corinthians 9:7
Finally, we need to look no further to see Paul’s relentless dedication as an ambassador for Christ than what we might call his “rant” from 2 Corinthians.
But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I am speaking in foolishness—I too am bold. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
— 2 Corinthians 11:21-29
Paul was a fully dedicated, single minded man who placed the cause of Christ, the Kingdom of Heaven above all else. Above any of his relationships, above his occupation, above his own well being, Paul was absolutely steadfast to the only cause that mattered… Jesus.
Pretty inspiring right? Especially when our own lives are somewhat divided in comparison.
May you be the soldier God has enlisted into his Kingdom’s cause. May you be a relentless, single minded follower of Christ who has prioritized God’s realm over all else in your lives. With that, let’s move forward… together.