This is the AMAZING Roman theater of Ephesus. It holds 24,000 spectators! It is in this theater a significant pivot point occurs in the life of the body of community of Jesus followers.
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. (Acts 19:23-29 NIV)
Artemis was the Roman goddess of fertility. For TWO HOURS, the followers of the Way (Jesus followers) were being put to the test as the crowds in the whole theater were incited with ANGER against them and chanted "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" (Acts 19:34)
We could almost hear the echoes of the riot, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" as we read this passage in these seats.
I sure hope I would have the courage and boldness as they did to stand for the message of Jesus Christ when the time comes.
Pamela Bean, Dunwoody UMC, Atlanta, GA.
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