People Are Watching And Listening - The Philippian Jailer

The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

Acts 16:27-28

Experts on motivational speaking know the importance of making a strong first impression. That is done, they say, by demonstrating the personal benefits of applying your message.

Everyone wants to see a cause-and-effect relationship between what you say and how you live. That is especially true in the spiritual context.

A jailer in the Macedonian city of Philippi got a close look at how real faith in Jesus affected two men. The encounter changed his life for eternity. As this jailer slept on the job, an earthquake shook open all the prison doors and rattled loose the stocks and chains holding all the prisoners, including the apostle Paul and his companion Silas. They were both in jail for preaching about Jesus.

Believing that his prisoners had escaped, the jailer knew he was in big trouble! Rather than die painfully at the hands of the Romans, he decided to take his own life. Just then, he heard two of the prisoners imploring him not to harm himself. These were the same voices that he had heard singing praises to their God, although he and his fellow guards had stripped them naked, beaten them nearly senseless, and thrown them in jail the evening before.

The Philippian jailer knew immediately that Paul and Silas had something that he wanted for himself. “Sirs,” he said, his voice probably trembling with relief and anticipation, “what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

The jailer recognized Paul and Silas—and Jesus, about whom they preached—as the real deal. Before that evening ended, he felt the same joy and peace that Paul and Silas so openly demonstrated in their damp and cold Philippian jail cell.

Is your life a beacon of God’s joy and peace? You will present no better witness to Jesus’ power to change a man than by living a fully submitted life of obedience and trust in God. People are watching and listening to see if what you say you believe translates into real-life differences.