Jail House Rock

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

Acts 16:25-28

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’”

 

I don’t think the above scripture passage inspired Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to write their song “Jailhouse Rock” for Elvis Presley, but you can see that something really did rock the jail house that Paul and Silas were in. You can make several rather amazing observations when examining this portion of scripture. It states that Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. This doesn’t sound strange on the surface, but remember that Paul and Silas before being thrown into prison had been stripped of their clothing and flogged. Very likely they had bleeding wounds that were oozing blood. They were probably cold and either sitting or lying on the dirt or stone floor of the prison. They also were bound in chains that were probably very uncomfortable. They also did not know what fate awaited them. Possibly they would be executed for Paul had offended some business people when he cast the spirit out of the demonic girl who was assisting her sponsors in making money in an evil manner. Despite all of this physical discomfort and emotional uncertainty of their predicament, they were praying to God and singing hymns of praise. It doesn’t say that they were pleading for God to rescue them. It simply states they were praying and singing. They were abiding in the knowledge that they belonged to God. They were, in a sense, having a worship service. They were also witnessing of their trust in God, for the other prisoners heard them singing and praying.

 

In the midst of this horrible situation the Lord heard their prayers and praises and a powerful earthquake manifested. This earthquake was so powerful that the huge doors to each cell were knocked open and the chains that held the prisoners were broken open. This was the chance of a lifetime for Paul and Silas to run to freedom, but did they? No, they remained in their cells. Why? You or I would have split for the hills. Knowing that we were to be beaten again or possibly worse, killed by beheading, we would have vacated the prison as soon as possible. Very likely Paul and Silas saw the guard begin the process of suicide and saw an opportunity to witness.

 

In those days a guard who allowed his prisoners to escape would face the same fate that the prisoners he was guarding would have faced. The guard knew that it would be more merciful for him to commit suicide with his sword than face the torment and torture of his superiors. Paul and Silas intervened and prevented him from killing himself. The followed portion of scripture tells us what happened as a result of Paul and Silas’ witness. Risking their own personal safety, they put evangelism of a lost soul over their own needs at the time and saw it as God’s will to witness to this guard. Here is the account of what happened with the guard.

 

Acts 16:31-34

“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family.”

 

The guard took Paul and Silas to his house, cleaned their wounds, fed them and not only did he accept Christ as his Savior, his whole household did as well. What an amazing account of evangelism. You and I would very likely be running into the hills looking for a hiding place or trying to find transportation out of town. Paul and Silas remained to share the gospel with their guard. Their attitude of praise, worship and trust in God was rewarded not only by their miraculous release from prison, but with the experience of glorifying God by bringing converts into His Kingdom.

 

But the story does not end here. Paul and Silas were still legally arrested and wanted by the authorities. But their obedience to trusting in the providence of God was further rewarded for we see in the next portion of scripture that God had other plans for them.

 

Acts 16:35-36

“When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: ‘Release those men.’ The jailer told Paul, ‘The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.’”

 

Apparently due to the miraculous events and God working through Paul, Silas and circumstances, the magistrates in authority released them.

 

As we read such a great witness of God providing for His children we might consider God’s instruction through His Word concerning what we are to do when facing struggles and hardships.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

 

Ephesians 5:19-20

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

Colossians 3:15-17

“And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

 

James 1:2-4

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

 

God can and does work many miracles to provide for us and protect us. This situation with Paul and Silas ended in such a manner. Whatever we go through be it trials or blessings, our lives belong to the Lord. Paul eventually was beheaded later in his life for preaching the gospel. We must humbly submit to God and let Him do with our lives what He wills. We are His servants and our purpose in life is to bring Him glory. Whatever befalls us, we are called to pray to Him for deliverance and guidance, praise Him in all we face and seek to look for opportunities of witness. Paul’s ultimate reward was to be with His Lord in heaven. I can’t help but remember Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21-23 when I think of Paul’s death by beheading.

 

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me…I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.”

 

We need to emulate Christ, like Paul did. Enjoy serving God in the lives we live and if we are called to go to glory, embrace it as a benefit to be in the presence of our loving Savior Jesus Christ.

 

May God grant us the strength and courage to become like Christ and serve our Heavenly Father, our risen Lord and the Holy Spirit of the Living God.