There were many things they could have done that night. As Roman
citizens their rights had been brutally denied. "The magistrates have had us beaten
publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman
citizens. "Act 16:37(ISV). They could complain
aloud, discuss it among themselves, or send for the lawyers. Clearly Paul was
one, and was acquainted at some time with others. Even if they weren’t Roman
citizens a fair trial was appropriate for any one accused of wrong doing. Instead
they were summarily punished and jailed without a hearing.
The unfairness didn’t stop there. The jailer’s attitude was unbecoming,
and to many this was adding salt to injury. So the jailer followed these orders and put Paul and Silas into
solitary confinement with their feet in leg irons Act 16:24(GW). One might have
discussed that too. Their wounds also needed attention. Severe beating on bare
backs result in open wounds which if not well attended to could get infected
with serious complications. Pain from such wounds is worse at nights, and can
keep one awake in agony. At that hour of the night he took them and
washed their wounds Act
16:33(ISV). None of that was the
focus of the apostles at midnight in the Phillipian jail. A time worn efficient
way of handling pain is focusing elsewhere. Where is your focus when suffering?
Around midnight,
Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners
were listening to them Act
16:25(ISV). God, praise to
God in the midst of deprivation, wounds and injustice filled their midnight
hour. Like the apostles before them they
were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the
sake of Jesus Act 5:41(GNB). It wasn’t a
prayer for vengeance, or even deliverance from an unjust sentence. No wonder
heaven was moved and there was a violent
earthquake, which shook the prison to its foundations. At once all the doors
opened, and the chains fell off all the prisoners Act 16:26(GNB). Since their focus
was on God, they had the presence of mind to call out to the jailer who was
about to commit suicide. But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, "Don't harm yourself ! We
are all here!" Act 16:28(GNB). O how many would have
rejoiced at the death of the jailer and given it as a testimony. “Those who did it are now suffering for it.
See what happened to the jailer! My God is alive.” But Paul and Silas reach
out to their prison guard to set him free from the chains of sin and death.
Epaphras was also imprisoned. Epaphras,
who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings Phm 1:23(GNB). But his preoccupation
appears to have been to labour in prayers, not for a release, but for the
saints in Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis. I assure you that he works hard for you and the people in Laodicea and
Hierapolis Col 4:13(GW). If you suffer,
focus on God and rejoice in Him; for when God permits His people to suffer,
there is good He wants to bring by it. Unjustly
treated? In pain? Focus on others.
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