Acts 16:25-28

 

So many of Paul’s letters were written from an interesting location, a dark prison cell. Honestly, after reading the Scriptures, one has to wonder if he spent more time in prison than out of it after he had converted to Christianity. But, oh, his reason for being in prison was glorious. Paul was thrown into prison for preaching the very Word of God, much like I am doing today by writing this devotion. It really makes one think about what we would do for God today. Would we, too, be willing to lay our lives on the line like Paul and Silas?

 

Paul and Silas began this day much like any other; they were heading to the place of prayer. While walking along, they were barraged by a slave girl possessed by an evil spirit. Frustrated, Paul tells the demon to leave the girl in the name of Jesus Christ, and the spirit is gone instantly. Most people would have been very pleased to have had an evil spirit removed from someone; however, the slave girl’s owners were dependent on the money that the girl and spirit brought in by telling fortunes. So, they pleaded with the Roman government to throw Paul and Silas in jail for “inciting riotous behavior.”

 

When I think about how I would be acting in a Roman prison, I doubt that it would be the same as the description of Paul and Silas in the Scripture above. Did you read it? Read it again. “About midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God.” And what were the other prisoners doing while Paul and Silas were praying and singing? Listening…Talk about a captive audience!                         

 

Then, the earth began to rumble. Oh, do you just wonder if it was not the earth joining up in praises to our God and King with Paul and Silas? When Jesus was on His way into Jerusalem just before His death, the people were shouting praises to Him on the way in and laying down palm branches to walk across. The Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the people for praising Him, and Jesus’ answer in Luke 19:40 was, “’I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’” The earthquake shook the very foundations of the prison, the doors fell open, and all of the prisoners’ chains were broken.

 

Can you imagine the surprise on the part of the jailer? He was in a sound sleep around midnight, and all of the sudden he is awakened by a violent earthquake causing the very walls to fall down around him. Unfortunately, he is so upset, believing the prisoners have most assuredly escaped, that he draws his sword to end his life before the Roman government could have its turn at his demise. In Acts 16:28, “Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’” These men had the perfect opportunity to escape from their prison because their chains were now broken. Instead, thinking more of the jailer than themselves, the prisoners remain in the demolished jail with their broken chains to ensure he would not be harmed. What an incredible testimony this jailer had the pleasure to witness! And he is so moved that he brings Paul and Silas back to his entire family to understand the plan of salvation.

 

So, now it is our turn. The earth has rumbled, and our chains are now broken. We have every opportunity to escape this life that we are living, the prisons surrounding us, and the concerns of the world. What will our choice be? Will we make a run for it at the earliest opportunity? Or will we stick it out to see how many other people we can affect for the cause of Christ? How many people will see our testimony displayed because we were willing to stick around, even in the most difficult of times? Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” May all of our decisions be tempered by how they will affect others, considering other people better than ourselves. 

 

Pray with me: Oh Lord! What a life Paul lived – constantly in chains for the cause of Christ. He was always willing to put his life on the line so that others would know You more deeply. However, he was also willing to stick around even when his chains had been broken because he considered others more important than himself. God, may we absorb his example in us and learn from him on how to show true humility. We want to affect others in the same way – willing to lay down our lives for them so that they might know You.  We love You so very much and pray all of this in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ! Amen.