Resurrection of Eutychus, Natale Carta, Acts 20:7 – 12
Acts 20:7 – 12
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound sleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went up stairs and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Three sources of light communicate different messages from this fresco. Behind the building, we see moonlight refracted through the clouds, illuminating the night scene of the walls and roofs of Ephesus. Just before the doorway, a woman holds a torch, which lights his and Paul’s faces, as well as some of the tops of heads of other people. The third light is either low to the left, or actually emanating from the young man who has died from his fall. His garment is white, and his skin more pale than anyone else’s. He almost appears to glow with is own light, shining on the woman who helps to hold him up after Paul’s embrace has revived him.
In the previous chapter (19:11 – 12), the author mentions miracles of healing transmitted through touching artifacts (handkerchiefs, aprons) which Paul had touched. These miracles of healing now extend to regaining life.
Let’s not forget those references to Paul talking “on and on” though.
I’d forgotten this story, but am sure glad that Paul couldn’t be accused of talking the young man to death (smile). He did go on and on, but thank goodness for it: we have all those letters.
And, memoirs 🙂 to delight us. (An Honest Home is in the reading queue).