Ah, there is pathos there. When it comes to Demas, all we get is, “And Demas.” Thereby hangs a tale. It was not so long afterwards that Paul had to write, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). No doubt Paul was apprehensive at this moment. He knew there was something wrong. Perhaps he did not know what it was, but all he could say was, “And Demas.” Oh, dear young Christian, that is very sad. Nothing could be said. There was just the mere mention of his name. As we go about the country, we come to a meeting where we have not been for a year or so, and we say, “Where is So-and-so?” “Oh, didn’t you hear that he left the meeting?”
“And Demas”! What can you find that will attract you more than Christ? What do you think will ever be presented to your soul, as long as you are in this scene, that will compete with Christ in your affections? Do you think anything can ever be offered to you that is comparable to that precious name? What causes young folks to leave? Christ has lost His charm to the soul. Perhaps they have not given Him up, but they want “Christ and — .” We could mention a hundred different things. Perhaps it is Christ and service. I hear of some who have left their place among those twos and threes, gathered to Christ’s name, because they wanted to be in places where they could serve Him better. What a sad thing to let service rob you of loyalty to Christ! Remember, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Others drop out because they find the world attractive. I suppose if I were to ask you why different ones left, you might say, “He wanted this,” or, “She wanted that.” It might be service, it might be marriage, it might be popularity, but it was something else than Christ. Demas loved this present world.