Acts 19:27-31

I think Demetrius showed his hand here. If you remember from yesterday, he was upset because his wallet was being squeezed. People were no longer buying his handmade silver shrines because they were turning from idols to serve Jesus. He was trying to rile up his fellow craftsmen because what affected him financially would eventually affect them as well. While the loss of income alone may not have been enough to agitate everyone, he went for the jugular by implying that Paul was robbing the goddess Artemis of her great prestige. Mess with people's religion, and you are sure to get a reaction.

Soon the whole city was in an uproar and rushed to the amphitheater. Why the amphitheater? It served as the ekklesia—the official civic and legislative assembly—and could hold approximately 25,000 people. Interestingly, the Greek word ekklesia is the very same word Jesus used when He said, "I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). The word simply means "an assembly" or "called-out gathering." In Ephesus, it referred to the assembly where citizens gathered to vote, hear public announcements, and debate matters affecting the city. Thanks to Demetrius, Paul's preaching had now become a city affair.

The crowd dragged two of Paul's companions into the amphitheater, and the scene quickly descended into chaos. Paul wanted to go in and address the crowd, but the believers begged him not to. Even some of the city officials who were friendly toward Paul urged him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater. A mob mentality had taken over, and when that happens, people often act first and ask questions later—sometimes after it is too late.

It is remarkable how quickly public opinion could turn against Paul. In one city he was praised, and in the next he was stoned. One moment people wanted to honor him; the next they wanted to kill him. Doesn't that sound familiar? The same thing happened to Jesus. On Palm Sunday the crowds shouted, "Hosanna!" and less than a week later many of those same voices were crying, "Crucify Him!"

Public opinion is a fickle thing. If we build our lives on the approval of people, we will constantly be riding an emotional roller coaster. But if we build our lives on pleasing God, we can remain steady whether people applaud us or oppose us. As Paul would later write, "If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).