Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted. Acts 20:7-12

The account of Eutychus falling asleep, falling out of a third story window—and then being raised from the dead—is human, somewhat humorous, and altogether miraculous. We admitted that sleepiness in church sometimes happens. We ought to do what we can to mitigate sleepiness, when we can. At other times, it may be an unavoidable part of being human. We quipped a little about the humor in the story. But the most important aspect of Eutychus’s story is the miraculous grace of God.

Yeah, Paul was long winded. Eutychus was tired, fell out the window, and tragically died. But God was gracious to raise the man from the dead! God didn’t tell us this story to blame Paul for being wordy, or Eutychus for being weary.

The most important application isn’t for preachers to get to the point. Neither is the most important application that congregants need to remain alert in church. The most important application is to see the kindness of God in light of our common weaknesses! How many times and in how many ways has the Lord been graciously kind with you and with me when we are not at our best?

Thank You, Lord, for Your countless mercies that are new every morning!