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"Eutychus, you get in the house this very moment!" his spirited mother impatiently shouted to the eleven-year-old boy. She had worked hard to get his clothes clean and pressed for church this evening and now here he was, all dressed up and outside playing with his pet goat. He teasingly jumped at the sure-footed little animal a few more times, daring him to give chase, and then reluctantly shuffled into the house.

This was a special Sunday for the Christian people of Troas because the famous itinerant preacher, Paul, was visiting the city. He would be joining with them this evening for the breaking of the bread. Following the religious service, the people had planned a community supper in his honor. There they would bid him a pleasant farewell, for tomorrow he and his traveling partner, Luke, would be sailing on to another mission. Eutychus' mother had meticulously prepared a delicious food basket for the meal, and the boy had heard his father talk of giving Paul a generous gift of money to help him with his many missionary activities.

Soon the three of them were on their way to the church, walking down the winding streets of their proud city, which was built on the site of the historic city of Troy. It was here that the ancient king's son, Paris, had brought Helen, the world's most beautiful woman, whom he had enticed from her husband, resulting in the notorious Trojan War. The children of Troas loved those gripping stories of their past history and could retell most of them from memory. The favorite of Eutychus and many of the other children was the tale of the Trojan horse with the Greek soldiers hiding within, a ploy that eventually led to the overthrow of the city.

Eutychus was romping along ahead of his parents, carrying the basket of food, swinging it so carelessly his mother could envision her lamb stew and fine pastries scattered all over the street. When she insisted her husband take it, Eutychus pouted and complained that he "wasn't allowed to do nothin'." Soon he forgot all about the privilege he had been denied, however, and went scampering this way and that, kicking pebbles, pulling tree limbs, and peeking through the picket fences of the neighbors' yards and gardens.

A large crowd had already gathered at the church when they arrived. The women and most children were seated on the first floor and the men went up to the second. Eutychus wanted to go with his father to the second level and raced ahead of him up the steep, circular stairs. "Let's go on up to the third floor, Dad," he begged excitedly, tugging on his sleeve. Thinking perhaps he would be more settled there, his father reluctantly followed.

Some men were already on the third level of this unique old building, which at one time had been the town theater. This third-floor balcony area could accommodate no more than thirty people and because it had only two small windows, it lacked sufficient light and ventilation. A few small oil lamps were burning, giving off a collective weak light and strong odor. The two windows located behind the seats were partially opened to invite some fresh air into the stuffy enclosure.

Eutychus jumped with excitement when the singing began, for he was anxious to see Paul, whom his parents had been talking so much about. Finally, the famous missionary came walking up the aisle to the altar. He was a small man, with a sharp profile and quick movements. Everyone spontaneously stood and loudly applauded, welcoming him back to the church he had founded. Paul appreciatively smiled and offered all present a most cordial greeting before lifting his hands and heart to God in prayer. The people then were seated and Paul began to preach.

After five minutes, it was perfectly clear that not even Saint Paul was going to hold the sustained attention of this hyperactive eleven-year-old boy. Eutychus diligently listened to Paul's fascinating story of being knocked to the ground, blinded, and his stormy adventure on the Mediterranean, but then his inquisitiveness shifted to the window and the sights and sounds below in the evening streets of Troas. Preoccupied with the outside world, Eutychus was now settled and quiet, enough so that his father could now give full attention to the sermon. Eutychus was at least behaving, his father noted with satisfaction. That was something he rarely did in church.

Meanwhile, Paul continued to preach and preach. His message stretched to more than an hour and it appeared he had much more to say. When darkness obscured his outside world, Eutychus became increasingly bored with the events inside. His father had promised he could drop his gift in the collection basket and he had already requested the envelope three times so he would be ready. However, his dad refused, keeping it securely in his pocket. Even Eutychus knew the basket would not be passed until the sermon ended and nobody knew when that would be.

As Paul preached on and on, Eutychus felt so hungry he wanted to cry, but he knew his father would get angry. In his private misery he simply stared at the musty floor. Gradually he became sleepy and, as Paul continued to explain the concept of divine grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Eutychus was rocked peacefully into slumberland.

His small, tousled head nodded forward and backward several times and then his little wooden bench, which he occupied by himself, moved slightly with his shifting weight. It firmly bumped on the floor, which startled him and his father (who likewise was fighting to stay awake). Thinking that Eutychus was engaged in his normal mischief, his dad eye-threatened him to be quiet. The fatigued boy was fighting a losing battle. His head jerked forward and back, as he tried with all his energy to keep his eyes open. He leaned back on his bench lest he fall headlong into his father, which he nearly did several times.

Drowsiness now completely overtook him, and when his head went backward too far he fell off the bench. The loud jolt on the wooden floor startled all those around him. They saw Eutychus rolling backward head over heels. His father immediately jumped to his feet but it was too late, for the somersaulting youngster flipped on over and rolled right out the open window.

"Jesus!" "God!" came the exclamations, now echoing from the third floor louder than the message from the pulpit. A dozen men dashed down the steps as fast as they could go, with Eutychus' father leading the way. The strange disturbance had puzzled but not stopped Paul from continuing his sermon which, unknown to him, had bored one person to death.

Others exiting the third floor passionately whispered what had occurred and finally Paul stopped and asked for an explanation. Hearing what had happened, he, too, quickly ran outside to assist. Fortunately, there was a doctor in the house. It was none other than Luke, one who had practiced medicine before he became a missionary. Luke knelt at the side of the twisted and motionless boy and, upon quick examination, sadly announced what no one wanted to hear: "The boy is dead."

Wailings were resounding and tears flowing as Paul pushed his way through the trembling crowd to the lifeless body of Eutychus. He straightened his arms and legs and then placed himself on top of the boy and breathed into the youngster's breathless mouth, praying loudly to God for the return of life. After three minutes of fervent faith-filled entreaties, Paul arose and confidently said, "The boy will be all right!" Then he returned to church and they passed the collection basket and proceeded with the ceremony of the breaking of bread.

Many continued to stand around the motionless Eutychus along with the boy's parents, desperately hoping Paul had been correct. Presently the boy moved slightly and opened his inquisitive eyes. His mother was cradling his limp head in her tender arms. She could feel his strength returning and heard him weakly ask, "Where am I, Mom?" A jubilant chorus of thanksgiving prayers arose as Eutychus lifted himself to his feet, hurting but smiling. Within the space of five minutes, he had fallen away and been born again.

Immediately, the parents hurried home with their now-subdued son. After feeling sure he was perfectly well, they put him to bed, where he instantly and peacefully drifted off into a sound sleep. With merciful words to God and to each other, his parents kept a continual vigil through the serene night.

Meanwhile, back at the church, the religious service and the community supper had gone on without them. Some of the congregation returned home, but most stayed to listen to Paul continue preaching until the first light of dawn. A neighbor lady had returned Eutychus' mother's untouched food basket and assured them the community had offered long and heartfelt prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the supernatural blessings to their son.

The next day before Paul left Troas, he came to visit Eutychus. The apostle sat at the family's kitchen table and together the four of them shared the food that had been prepared for the church supper the previous night. Here, too, his father personally gave Paul an even bigger gift than he had originally intended. Then, in thoughtful prayer, their holy visitor blessed and broke a small loaf of bread and gave a portion to each. After the grateful tears had flowed and heartfelt words of thanksgiving were spoken, he conferred his apostolic blessing on Eutychus and his parents. Paul then departed Troas. It had been his second and last visit to the city.

After he had fallen from the church's windowsill,
Eutychus displayed a life of service and good will.
But in spite of faith that grew resilient, firm, and deep,
Every time he heard a sermon start -- he would fall asleep!

Read Acts 20