35-36 At daybreak, the court judges sent officers with the instructions, “Release these men.” The jailer gave Paul the message, “The judges sent word that you’re free to go on your way. Congratulations! Go in peace!”
37 But Paul wouldn’t budge. He told the officers, “They beat us up in public and threw us in jail, Roman citizens in good standing! And now they want to get us out of the way on the sly without anyone knowing? Nothing doing! If they want us out of here, let them come themselves and lead us out in broad daylight.”
38-40 When the officers reported this, the judges panicked. They had no idea that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. They hurried over and apologized, personally escorted them from the jail, and then asked them if they wouldn’t please leave the city. Walking out of the jail, Paul and Silas went straight to Lydia’s house, saw their friends again, encouraged them in the faith, and only then went on their way. Acts 16:35-40 (The Message)
I love stories with twists at the end, not twisted endings. The book of Acts recounts the story of some Philippian businessmen who exploited a demon-possessed girl to make a living. However, their free lunches ended when Paul and Silas came to Philippi to preach the Gospel and the girl constantly distracted them from their work. God used Paul to cast out the demon and to restore her mind. The two missionaries became public enemies number one and two, and "justice" doled out a public beating and a night in jail.
Jail time didn't stop them from praising God as their jailmates listened. Around mindnight God joined in with the rumble of the earth beneath the prison floors. The jailer, astounded that Paul and Silas stayed put instead of escaping, wanted the salvation he saw them living. He and his family became believers and when morning dawned so did the good news that Paul and Silas were free to go on their way.
At this news, I would have taken my "Get out of Jail Free" card and boot-scooted back to Believers' Headquarters, thanking God for my freedom. I would have assumed that my mission was accomplished when the jailer and his family were saved. Not Paul. He saw the bigger picture and stayed to right a wrong. He wasn't about to scurry out of town and leave a wrong impression. He had committed no crime, but couldn't say the same for the Philippian leaders. They had illegally ordered beatings and jail for two Roman citizens in good standing without a trial. Paul stayed to address this wrong and to stop these officials from becoming tyrants.
How did he do it? He staged a non-violent sit-in: "But Paul wouldn't budge." Stubborn Paul? Indignant Paul? Angry Paul? Maybe a little of all three, but Paul knew if he and Silas slipped quietly out of town, the townspeople would dismiss them as troublemakers. He didn't budge until the town officials came to him in public, in broad daylight, to apologize and to lead their victims from jail. The officials, realizing the seriousness of their mistake, "panicked," "hurried," and begged. Still, Paul and Silas refused to be rushed out of town before they finished God's work. They made a last stop at Lydia's home to encourage new believers and "only then went on their way."
At this news, I would have taken my "Get out of Jail Free" card and boot-scooted back to Believers' Headquarters, thanking God for my freedom. I would have assumed that my mission was accomplished when the jailer and his family were saved. Not Paul. He saw the bigger picture and stayed to right a wrong. He wasn't about to scurry out of town and leave a wrong impression. He had committed no crime, but couldn't say the same for the Philippian leaders. They had illegally ordered beatings and jail for two Roman citizens in good standing without a trial. Paul stayed to address this wrong and to stop these officials from becoming tyrants.
How did he do it? He staged a non-violent sit-in: "But Paul wouldn't budge." Stubborn Paul? Indignant Paul? Angry Paul? Maybe a little of all three, but Paul knew if he and Silas slipped quietly out of town, the townspeople would dismiss them as troublemakers. He didn't budge until the town officials came to him in public, in broad daylight, to apologize and to lead their victims from jail. The officials, realizing the seriousness of their mistake, "panicked," "hurried," and begged. Still, Paul and Silas refused to be rushed out of town before they finished God's work. They made a last stop at Lydia's home to encourage new believers and "only then went on their way."
Living for Christ guarantees God will shake up the people around us. When our lost friends, co-workers and neighbors get angry or uncomfortable because we don't hide who we are in Christ, we must not let their responses budge us from finishing what God leads us to do. Our fear must not silence us in the streets or choke out our midnight songs. God will show us the bigger picture and strengthen us not to budge from the Truth.
Father, give us courage to live for You among scoffers, doubters, mockers, and oppressors. Slipping away from uncomfortable confrontational situations for the wrong reasons doesn't glorify You, but aids and abets the same tyrants we complain about and fear. We praise You our Rock, our Shield, our Strong Defender, our Hiding Place. You fill us with righteous indignation when wrong reigns. You bring to light what wrongdoers want to keep in darkness. You give us courage and wisdom to speak Truth no matter how the world responds. May we glorify You in everything we say and do.
In the Name of Jesus Who promised us the right words at the right time
Father, give us courage to live for You among scoffers, doubters, mockers, and oppressors. Slipping away from uncomfortable confrontational situations for the wrong reasons doesn't glorify You, but aids and abets the same tyrants we complain about and fear. We praise You our Rock, our Shield, our Strong Defender, our Hiding Place. You fill us with righteous indignation when wrong reigns. You bring to light what wrongdoers want to keep in darkness. You give us courage and wisdom to speak Truth no matter how the world responds. May we glorify You in everything we say and do.
In the Name of Jesus Who promised us the right words at the right time
"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.
At that time you will be given what to say," Matthew 10:19
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