There arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.

Acts 19:23-32, About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

The truth of the gospel was perceived rightly as a threat to the local economy for certain people, and a near riot resulted. Paul seemed to think this would be a great time to present the gospel to an even bigger crowd, but he was persuaded to wait! It seems odd that if their goddess was so great and powerful, couldn’t she take care of the situation without a riot? And it took a town clerk to calmly dismiss the mob by recommending that if there was an issue, they should take it up with the courts! What amazing ways God can move to bring attention to His gospel!

We thank You for Your good news that disrupts the ways of the world and brings people out of darkness into Your light!

ESV Lectionary