Acts 16:27-34
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!”
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
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 household 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 household.
Comments
The fear in the jailer was well-founded: the escape of prisoners under his charge meant certain death for him.
The transformation in this man from jailer to servant was remarkable. He bathed the prisoners’ wounds that had not only gone untended before, but were likely the result of abuse the jailer himself had inflicted on Paul and Silas. Then the jailer took them to his home, showing them gracious hospitality and serving them with a heart full of joy.
Reflection
In an instant, the jailer turned his back on the life he had known and embraced a new life in Jesus. What kind of instant or gradual transformations have taken place in your life as a result of being a disciple of Jesus?
Prayer
Give me the courage, Lord, to bathe the wounds of those I have hurt, and the grace to serve them in whatever way I can.
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