The Upward Call

This story is about Gaius and Demetrius, men on the opposite poles of a riot in Ephesus (Acts 19) that end up as partners in ministry (III John). Gaius is a shopkeeper from Derbe who left his successful business to answer God’s call to join with Paul in ministry. Demetrius is an affluent silversmith from Ephesus who has all the trapping of success anyone could want in life, but when he is willing to objectively examine himself, he realizes that he has no real friends, faith, meaning, or purpose in his life. They meet when Paul’s team starts a ministry in Ephesus. Though they like each other from the start, they end up as antagonists in a riot in Ephesus because of the threat the gospel poses to Demetrius’ affluence. God uses the shame from his horrendous action and the forgiveness from Gaius to bring Demetrius to faith. But having come to faith, Demetrius is faced with a difficult decision of his own. When he trusts God, he loses everything, but then God provides for him through Gaius. In the process, Demetrius finds freedom, friendship, purpose, meaning in life. He becomes a contented partner in ministry with Gaius until Diotrephes enters the picture. This multi-talented professing believer impresses everyone with his charisma and cleverness, but his drive for adulation and power undermines relationships and ministries. Ultimately, Diotrephes turns into their enemy. His former love and admiration of Gaius turns to bitterness and hatred. As Diotrephes’ world crumbles around him, he strikes out at Gaius in escalating attempts to destroy his former friend that culminates in a sea chase across the Mediterranean and a dramatic rescue in Alexandria.
This is a story about taking the gospel seriously. It concerns making sacrifices as part of our commitment to God and forgiving those who truly hurt us; it is a story about choosing to commit ourselves to Adonai rather than pursuing mammon. Ultimately, the story is about trusting the Lord to guide us into lives filled with purpose and meaning.
Commitment and reconciliation are common themes in the Bible. Commitment is the call to serve the Creator rather than expect Him to serve us. Reconciliation is the call to restore relationships through love and forgiveness, even with those who have hurt us deeply, because of the love and forgiveness we have in Christ. This is a story about two men making commitments that put their affluence at risk; both Gaius and Demetrius are willing to leave their riches behind. They end up content with the choices they made and the mercy and guidance of Adonai in their lives. It is a story we need today.