Acts 20 - 12.24.25

Scripture

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Observation

Today we read a very poignant and emotional moment in Paul’s life. He was saying “Good Bye” to the church of Ephesus, and entrusting the care of the church to the elders. He was sure that he would not see them again, as the Lord was leading him to Jersualem where he would be eventually arrested.

Paul reminds the elders of the church to “keep watch over yourselves” first. We cannot minister and give to others unless we receive from God ourselves, on a daily basis. It is important for us to stay in God’s presence and be filled with his Spirit and Word so that we can pour out into the lives of others that God has brought to us. The Lord reminded us to “watch” and pray so that we don’t fall into temptation (Matthew 26:21). We need to watch over ourselves first in prayer and spending time in the Word.

“..and all the flock for which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” - Watch over the flock or the people whom God has entrusted you with. It is God’s Holy Spirit who has entrusted us with the ministry. Be faithful to the calling God has placed on your life. “Be Shepherd” (NIV) or “feed the church of God” (KJV). A shepherd takes care of the sheep, and a shepherd’s primary responsibility is feeding the sheep. Spiritual food for us is God’s word. Encourage and build each other up with the word (1 Thess 5:11). Feed the word to those who are entrusted to you. Paul reminds the elders how precious the people in the church are to God - he bought them with his own blood. 

Application

Let us watch and pray that we don’t fall into temptation. Let us build ourselves up in our most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). And let us watch over the people God has put in our care. Yes, we are called to be our brother’s (sister’s) keeper. Let us feed the word of God to the flock entrusted to our care. 

To feed others with the Word, we need to study the Word ourselves. Let us study the Word to show ourselves approved unto God, a worker that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15, KJV).

Let us be diligent and intentional to do the work that we are called to, in ministering to the people God has placed in our sphere of influence. 

Prayer

Dear Father, You are my strength and my help. I want to please you and fulfill your will for my life. Help me to watch and pray so that I don’t fall into temptation (Matthew 26:21). Help me to build myself up by praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). Help me to study your word, so that I will be able to rightly divide your word to your people (2 Tim 2:15).  Help me to fix my eyes on you, the author and finisher of my faith, who for the joy kept before you, endured the cross and despised the shame (Heb 12:2). Help me to set my mind on things above and not things on the earth (Col 3:2). Help me to love the people you have placed in my life, with your love. Help me to genuinely care and feed them with your word, which is the true bread of life. Lord please help me, as I can do nothing without you (John 15:5). I surrender my life once more to you. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George