The Pilgrim Path---Acts 16: 25 –34

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and 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.

When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, :Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them that same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

ABOUT MIDNIGHT…

When it is dark, and you are down---you must decide what you are going to do. Not only was it midnight for Paul and Silas, but they were also fastened in stocks in prison. Their only crime: ministering in Jesus’ Holy Name. Humanly speaking, the prospects were not wonderful. Their recourse was like that of Habakkuk (1: 12). Outwardly, things looked bad. Yet, you have to know---God knows what HE is doing. So, go back to praising and talking to HIM. Sadly, this is not always what I do first (or second---or third). So---I must learn from the “spiritual masters” here. Go to Jehovah-Jesus. Worship and call out to Him. It is not apparent to me that the other prisoners were all that excited about Paul and Silas having a “revival and renewal” season right around midnight---but I doubt a lot of men slept too well in the inner confines of the prison. From all indications, Paul and Silas had been put with some of the roughest of the rough (they were so dangerous you know). Actually---Paul and Silas “were” lethal---against the devil---and his hold over others. So---the Gospel “went” out in song and prayer. We never know what the Holy Spirit is doing in the hearts of hearers---until such time as HE reveals His operations. Well, the LORD shakes the place---with a real earthquake. The LORD also “shakes” everyone “free” from their bonds. That was a wonder from heaven!

The jailer is ready to take his life---sword drawn. The jailer would be liable to serve “the time / sentence” of any who escaped. He figured he would simplify matters: he would kill himself. It is something--- that the Apostle Paul immediately yelled out to save this man’s life---when he thought of what the jailer would do. That is why the jailer “rushed” in---he could not believe all were still present. His physical life was spared---Wow! Now it hits him---how about my soul? “What must I do to be saved?” ----“Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Christianity is a family affair!

---this jailer took Paul and Silas and dressed their wounds that same hour. When you get converted---you want to serve Jesus Christ in tangible ways---and you want to keep serving HIM…

---this jailer brought Paul and Silas to his house for food and a time of recovery. He did this at personal risk and at personal cost---all because he loved Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God…

---this jailer was a “new man” now: rejoicing with his entire household that he had trusted God. How old were “all” the members of his household? Probably not as old as you might think---but old enough to know---that now their home belonged to the True and Living God…

From Samuel Ward: Set before your eyes Christ and his promises to receive all who truly desire the price of his blood. Study, stive, and endeavor to believe. Today is salvation offered. Step from death to life and write this day your birthday. By faith you are made a son of God forever.

From Simon Kistemaker: How the jailer must regret his earlier actions! Yesterday he had put Paul and Silas in the stocks; now he tenderly washes their wounds and soothes their welts. As the missionaries are physically washed so the jailer and the members of his household are spiritually washed with the blood of Jesus, symbolized by the water of baptism. As Paul and Silas are the recipients of the jailer’s kindness so the jailer and his family are the recipients of God’s grace. With the sign of baptism, they are now members of God’s household.

HYMN

“Jesus sinners doth receive”: word of surest consolation;

Word all sorrow to relieve, word of pardon, peace, salvation!

Naught like this can comfort give: “Jesus sinners doth receive.”

On God’s grace we have no claim, yet to us his pledge is given;

He hath sworn by his own name, open are the gates of heaven.

Take to heart this word and live: “Jesus sinners doth receive.”

When a helpless lamb doth stray, after it, the Shepherd, pressing

Thro’ each dark and dangerous way, brings it back, his own possessing.

Jesus seeks thee, O believe: “Jesus sinners doth receive.”

Erdmann Neumeister, 1718 / Translation composite

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason