Set Free

A Jailer’s Story

He was the keeper of the prison and took his work seriously.

One day, two men were given to him to guard and because he was ordered to keep them secure, he fastened their feet in the stocks.

Now the stocks were made of wood, which made it impossible to move around.  If the two men were in chains, then perhaps, they could have moved about the cell, but with their feet in the stocks, they were forced to sit in one spot.  We can only wonder if the two men ever needed to use the bathroom.

The two men were none other than the apostle, Paul, and Silas, his companion.  Although they had committed no crime and received no trial, Paul, and Silas, were thrown into prison, after having been whipped with rods.

Thrown into Prison

Paul, along with Silas, were traveling the country to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation in His name.  Paul had been at this work for some time, while Silas had recently joined him.

Many people believed in the word that Paul and Silas shared, but not everyone.  Today was one of those days that people took offense at Paul and Silas because of their faith.

It makes you wonder why people get so offended when the Christian faith is shared.  But today, God used their anger to send Paul and Silas to do His work.

Scripture tells us that in all things, “God works for the good of those who love Him.” Romans 8:28

I have always believed that this scripture pertains to those who have already been saved.  But that is not the case.  On this day, God sent Paul and Silas to share the gospel with a man they never would have met if they had not been thrown into prison.

No Other Conditions

Their feet locked in a stock and immobile, Paul and Silas were praying out loud and singing hymns.  At about midnight, while the other prisoners were listening to them, a great earthquake shook the prison so hard, that all the doors were shaken open and the prisoners’ chains were loosed.

The jailer, waking up and realizing what happened, pulled out his sword to kill himself because he was sure that all the prisoners had escaped.  He could not bear the thought of such a great failure.

Paul heard the jailer draw his sword and called out to him, letting the jailer know they were all still there and not to harm himself.

Calling for lights, the jailer came to Paul and Silas and fell down before them, asking a question we should all be asking, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Paul and Silas answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31. That is it.  The answer is so simple that most people miss it.  There are no other conditions that must be met for a person to be saved.

The Good News

A walk of faith in Jesus Christ does not end at believing in Jesus Christ.  Believing is just the beginning.  That is for another story, but I will say that walking with Jesus is about getting to know Him and how deep His love is for His creation.

So on this night, the jailer along with his entire family, in the middle of the night, heard the message Paul and Silas shared and were saved.  They found a love they never knew existed and it changed their lives.

Of course, Paul and Silas had suffered, being whipped with rods, and locked in prison, having committed no crime other than sharing their faith.  Although they endured such treatment, I believe Paul and Silas recognized they needed to walk that path for the sake of the jailer and his family.  And the jailer and his family, I am sure, were beyond grateful, and humbled, for the sacrifice these two men suffered to bring the good news to them.

It is worth noting that Paul and Silas were set free from their prison cell the very next day.  More importantly, the jailer and his family were set free from their bondage to the world.

The Resurrection of the Righteous

Jesus Christ knew this one man, and his family, were ready to be saved.  He also knew that Paul and Silas, were in the right place at the right time to share the good news of salvation with him and his family.  It may be that Paul and Silas were the only two who could have made a difference in this man’s life.

Although the circumstances of the interaction these people shared is less than ideal, God was looking at the bigger picture and a time when all His children will be with Him.  It will be a time where there will be no more suffering, only love, peace, and joy unending.

God was working for the good of the jailer and his family and He needed, Paul and Silas, to endure physically, so that the jailer and his family could be saved.  Have you ever suffered and found yourself in a unique position to help another?  If so, then know that God divinely directed you for another person’s sake and you will be rewarded at the resurrection of the righteous.

What the Bible Says

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.  This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”  And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.  But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”  Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.  And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.  Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Saved

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  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 chains were loosed.  And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.  But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.  Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Acts 16:16-34