Don't Let The Fire Waste
What is the united work of those new converts in Ephesus? What have these magicians or sorcerers done that makes us want to know and learn from it? It is a public fire in Ephesus, a fire that no sorcerer, who is now being led by Jesus, the Living Word, will let go to waste.
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. Acts 19: 19
Look at this public sight in Ephesus, a sight never before seen. People who had lived by practicing magic, people who depended on their potions and manuscripts, have offered them up to have them burnt. These people did not just agree to give up their lifestyle, in mind and heart, but to seal the truth of who they had become, in their new life in Jesus, they burned every bit of paraphernalia they depended upon and used in their magic. The public burning of their sins, as it were, showed what had already taken place in them, personally.
We are told that when they together counted up the value of their evil treasures, it amounted to fifty thousand pieces of silver. What a testimony to God, working through His servant, Paul. There had to be very many magicians converted for that amount of silver to be realised.
The scene is different. Never before seen in Ephesus was there such a public burning. What a sight to behold!
The source is different. It is all totally unheard of. Magicians burning up all their stuff? But look closely, they are converted magicians.
The sacrificing is different. It is not a public show to draw crowds. It is the ending of a life of sin and the beginning of a life with Jesus.
Are there things that bring us to the Cross here? It is the place of sacrifice, the open, public place of sacrifice.
It is because of its location, that I am able to come to it, so freely and easily, no restrictions. If it were a private place, for example, I would indeed be excluded. But it is a public place and I am able to come to the cross. Check the scene in Ephesus, where the fire is rising high. It is open for all to see and all who have received Jesus can throw in their stuff.
It is because of its lowliness, that I, a poor, miserable sinner, can come and cling. If it were a lofty, high and mighty place, there would be no hope for me. But it is low, receiving all kinds of sinners, for the lowest, most despicable sinner can come and throw himself or herself at the cross and have every sin burnt up, removed.
It is because of its lifting that I am able to come and throw all of me with all my cares, burdens, worries, intimidations, fears and mind-stealing madness away, for good. If it were a burying place, then I would still have the problems, but when I am lifted, I am made quickened, made free of them all.
Just as no magician, who was converted let the fire go to waste, but threw in all they had, so too with us. We are not to let the grace of the Cross go to waste, as it were. We who have heard the Word and have given our sinful lives to Jesus, we who have pledged to go where He leads, must be led into casting every care upon Him and knowing freedom for all time.
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