Paul and and his friend Silas found themselves in prison. Earlier that week a slave girl kept following them around proclaiming that they were servants of the Most High God. Although true, Paul got annoyed with it and cast the spirit out of the girl, which is good news for her, but bad news for her owner who was basically selling her services as a fortune teller (although it is unclear whether her having a demon made her better or worse at this). Owner gets mad, gets in league with a bunch of other fellas, including local judges, who strip Paul and Silas (probably to their nuthin’s), beat them with rods, and throw them into jail, putting their feet in stocks as a kicker. Rough times.
At midnight, the bros are in their cell singing hymns when an earthquake happens, opening up all the cells and loosening all the chains (these are the hallmarks of YHWH’s freedom, unlike some rando earthquake, which is markedly less precise in its impact). Jailer wakes up, sees all the doors open, and decides to kill himself (likely because that was going to be his punishment for allowing a jailbreak anyway, plus it saved him the dishonor of being executed in front of everyone).
But no, Paul says “Don’t worry, we’re all here” and then proceeds to tell this man that Jesus Saves. Guard takes Paul and Silas to his own house so this Good News can be shared with his family. Everyone believes, gets baptized and celebrates, then Paul and Silas go back into the jail.
When I think Hope on Offense, I think of this story, here’s why:
- Hope Keeps Going: Paul had already been stoned and beaten in a few other places prior to this, and yet he kept on moving and sharing the message of rescue, repentance and freedom.
- Hope Praises in Uncertainty: In a dark hour on the floor of a dirty cell, feet bound, body aching, Paul and Silas sing to Jesus. They don’t know what the next day will bring but they trust God is good and sing the reminders of that fact when the world that surrounds them makes it difficult to believe it.
- Hope Draws a Crowd: We’re told that the prisoners around them were listening as they sang. And the jailer, when he sees that the bros didn’t make a break for it, suddenly realizes his view of the world doesn’t fit with what he’s seeing in these two fellas and wants to reconcile himself to whatever it is they are representing. Their actions brings him to ask, “What must I do to be saved?”
- Hope Serves: Who doesn’t run when the doors open? Who witnesses to and baptizes a man who is keeping you in prison under very dubious pretenses? Who then extends this grace to his family? And then who goes back into the jail to see what tomorrow brings? These fellas do, because fleeing any of this doesn’t provide the opportunity to serve those around them. Their escape would mean the guard’s death. The credibility of the gospel is upheld in their trust and patience, not in their self-preservation.
Guided Prayer:
Father, I want the kind of hope that sings in chains. The kind that doesn’t need the outcome before I can trust You.
Give me faith that looks at the darkness around me and still praises Your name.
Teach me to serve people even when it costs me comfort, and to love people who haven’t loved me back.
And when You open doors, help me to move where You’re moving — or stay put if staying puts Your name on display.
I believe You still set captives free.
In Jesus’ name, amen.