Imagine being wrongly imprisoned as you were accused of something that you were not. I imagine that if there was an opportunity to escape that imprisonment, that a good number of us would do so. Paul and Silas were imprisoned for being “Jews” and for spreading the word of God in the Roman empire which was considered against the law (even though they were not accused of any specific actions).
“26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s bonds were unfastened…28But Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’” – Acts 16:26 & 28 (ESV)
They prison was shaken so much that everything was opened and in effect everyone was “freed” from their bonds and could (yes I said could) have escaped, whether rightfully or wrongfully accused. But they did not.
“25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” – Acts 16:25 (ESV)
Everyone in the prison were worshiping to God and therefor they were not thinking of escaping, they seemed to be living more by the law of God as opposed to the law of man. They did not need to be “freed” to be free.
“29And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 31And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all where were in his house.” – Acts 16:29-32 (ESV)
The jailer recognizes that something is different about Paul and Silas. He knows that they, along with the rest of the prisoners, had every opportunity to escape and yet they did not take it. He knew that there must be something greater than man to keep them all imprisoned. He was so amazed and taken with what it could be, he asked and truly wanted to know. When he was told, he and his house believed.
I have been fortunate to be in a Christian home as a child and lead a Christian home as an adult. I believe that my household would be more like Paul and Silas and understand that justice will be there when it is supposed to be. I know that our purpose with Christ is more than we know and the seeds of grace that we plant all around will sprout roots when the time is right with the right individual meant to receive them. Every situation provides an opportunity to worship and witness to and for God.
When you are in a difficult situation, what is your attitude? Are you looking for your own freedom, or looking out for the spiritual well being of those around you? Are you using the difficult situations to offer opportunities for other to believe?
Trevor's Thoughts 