PAUL, SILAS AND THE JAILER

Greetings to you all. It's very important that we realize that others are watching us, even from afar. " OTHERS JUST MAY COME TO CHRIST BECAUSE OF OUR EXAMPLE."

Have you ever wondered about the Jailer in the book of Acts? He was probably a long time trusted employee of the city. When Paul and Silas were cast into prison they had already been striped and beaten with rods. You see under the Roman Empire the police attendants of public officials carried bundles of rods, or cane, bound in a circle around an axe, symbolizing the power of the authorities to chastise and even execute. A representation of this ancient device being visible today on the reverse side of our U.S. Dime.

These brothers were beaten only because they were Jewish and not Greeks. They experienced total humiliation, their clothing was torn from them and the actual beating was inflicted upon their flesh. (II Corinthians 11:25) " Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep." Paul experienced difficulties and humiliations for the cause of Christ. Paul was sacrificing his life for the Gospel, would and can you. Friends the trials and hurts that we experience for the sake of Jesus Christ builds character, and demonstrate our faith, and prepare us for further service to the LORD.

The Jailer would sometimes get advance notice of his prisoners nevertheless resisted any humane impulse that might have come to him; and, instead of "keeping them safely" as charged, added the element of torture to their time spent with him. He would subject them to the stocks.

A device normally used for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the feet and hands can be locked. This prevented their being able either to sit up or to lie down, and must have been a most painful and unnecessary humiliation imposed upon them by the pagan jailer. God would speak to him, however, before the night was over. I'm amazed that Paul endured pain and much danger as he fulfilled his calling. (II Corinthians 11: 26-27) " I have been on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; (27) I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure". Understanding some of the suffering and indignities that Paul endured will help us fathom just how he and Silas were able to pray and sing hymns to the Father.

When Praises go up, Blessings come down.

I have to wonder just when they started singing and praising God. At this point in time one might think that Paul was getting some what dubious as to all the suffering he has gone through.