SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: February, Year 2预览

Top Takeaway from Malinda Fuller:

Acts 16 is full of incredible stories and life lessons. For simplicity's sake, we will focus on the last part of the chapter when Paul and Silas are in prison.

How do they land in prison? For "disturbing the city." They are also accused of being "Jewish, and advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice" (Acts 16:20-21 ESV). 

Not exactly a long list of punishable offenses. And yet, the city officials commanded that they "be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks" (Acts 16:22-24 NIV). 

And later that night, Paul and Silas were found "praying and singing hymns to God" (verse 25). They even had an active audience! They weren't sitting in a cell licking their wounds, cursing the warden, or the government officials. They weren't waving fists in the air at God, accusing Him, or demanding Him to relieve them of their suffering. They were giving God praise. They were men with an eternal perspective, not moved by their present circumstances.

Moments later, "a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once, all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose" (verse 26).

Note, the earthquake didn't just open their doors (which wouldn't have been helpful since everyone was chained). And it didn't only release the chains, but opened the doors too. God provided the solution for both, and not just for Paul and Silas, but for everyone (note verse 26 again).

And what happens next? 

Paul and Silas wait. For what, we aren't told. But when "the jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don't harm yourself! We are all here!’" (verse 27-28).

Don't prisoners rush out after being set free? They don't wait for an invitation to leave; they go quickly. But Paul and Silas were on assignment from God.

"The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house” (verses 29-32).

Paul and Silas didn't just tell the jailer the Good News.  It wasn't enough for one man to come to Jesus; they wanted his whole family to know Him.

"At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately, he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household (verses 33-34). 

Keep in mind that this is all happening after midnight. So, people are waking up. There is a meal prepared in the wee hours of the morning, and a baptism takes place. It wasn't a quick event; it was hours of talking and sharing, washing wounds, and eating together.

And then, the jailer sends Paul and Silas on their way. That would be a fun, Hollywood-ending to the story. Instead, "when it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: 'Release those men'" (verse 35).

Paul and Silas went back to their cell. It is so counter to how we would respond if we had been wrongly accused, beaten, and put in prison. Again, these two men exemplify what it means to walk in humility, choose grace, and extend love to others.

Father, thank You for the way Your Word teaches and inspires us today. Thank You for these men who were such incredible examples of what it means to walk in humility, grace, conviction, and love. Thank You for sustaining us in moments of difficulty and for showing up in power when we need it most. Please help us to choose thanksgiving in every circumstance, to see opportunities and people the way You do. We want whole families to know You, and we know sometimes we need to stay right where You've placed us until you say it's time to go. Give us grace for these moments and the words to speak to those who are eager to know You.  Amen.