Changing Of The Guard

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD (ACTS 20:25-31)

One of the biggest tourist attractions in England is, without doubt, a visit to Buckingham Palace, especially to see the 45 minutes “Changing of the Guard” ceremony at its appointed time, which I had the opportunity to do in my visit to England in 2006.

Every day in the summer under the hot sun, the New Guard awaits inspection on the parade square while the Band forms a circle to play music – even to the theme of James Bond. The New Guard, led by the Band, marches across into the forecourt of the castle. Once there, the New Guard advances towards the Old Guard in slow time and short pauses. The Old Guard presents arms, followed by the New Guard presenting arms. The Captains of the Guards march towards each other for the handing over of the Palace keys. The new guards are marched to the guardrooms, where new sentries are posted.

The Queen’s Guard is posted with the primary purpose of protecting the Queen or Sovereign. It provides sentries during the day and night, and during the latter hours they patrol the grounds of the Palace.

Paul spent three years (v 31) in fruitful and effective ministry to the Jews and Greeks in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). He founded the church in Ephesus on his second missionary journey and left Priscilla and Aquila to continue the work there (Acts 18:19-24), who were joined by the talented Apollos later. It’s been said, “Saying goodbye is hard to do.” Three weeks before I left for Hong Kong, my mentor invited me for dinner with an invitation that says, “I don’t want to say goodbye but it’s better than leaving without saying goodbye.” The Chinese say, “There is no banquet under heaven that never ends.” Stanley Toussaint divided this discourse into three parts: (a) a review of Paul's past three-year's ministry in Ephesus (20:18-21), (b) a description of the present situation (vv. 22-27), and (c) the future responsibilities of the Ephesian elders (vv. 28-35). (from Bible Knowledge Commentary) A friend suggested using the three “and, now” (vv 22, 25, 32).

What do you say to say goodbye? Something sentimental, something selfish or something sophisticated? How would you like others to remember you? Why is more important to for others to continue the mission you have rather than cherish their memories with you? Paul watched his words, witnessed to God and warned of dangers.

Go the Distance

17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

When I was a young student at DTS before I was 30, a few of my schoolmates desire nothing upon graduation but to return to Hong Kong to serve with Rev. So. Being a very independent person, I thought to myself, “How strange. Why do you even want to serve under someone of that stature? No independent thinking.”

Ever since then, the church he led has grown to 10,000 members, a 19-story building, three church plants, 100 coworkers and a seminary.

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The purpose in Paul’s farewell is not to restate the way he served the Lord in the past (v 19, “serve/slave” is a “how” participle, not the main clause – “serving” in KJV, NASB and ESV), but to reveal the will to finish the race in the future (v 24) and complete the task of the Lord (KJV, “I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God). The traditional translation for “finish” (v 24) is fulfill (Luke 2:43), perfect (Luke 13:32) and consecrate (Heb 7:28). Some start well, but few finish well. In the journey of life many start on the line, some stumble along the way, others struggle and strain or slow, but the goal is to succeed in the end. The reasons could be physical, moral, relational, mental or emotional. Some did not count the cost, others did not carry the torch, few cross the line. To complete means faith overcoming fear, obedience despite obstacles, perseverance without progress. It is not easy but it is expected. Paul faced the double threat of prison and hardship/afflictions or persecution (v 23), both are plural nouns - unceasing, uncaused and unchanging. The noun “hardship” is singular in the Gospels, but plural here.