The Question Not Asked

Yesterday, during our worship, another brother was giving a talk on Acts 16 and the imprisonment of Paul and Silas.  As we read together, I was struck by something I didn’t read in this passage.

In case you are too lazy to click on the link and read for yourself, Paul and Silas are sent to jail for taking away the livelihood of a couple of slave owners.  They did this by miraculously driving out the demon that inhabited a slave girl. Once in prison, they decide to spend their time singing praises and praying to God.  That night there was a big earthquake, and when the jailer woke up, he assumed all the prisoners would be gone through the wide open door!  Knowing that he would be executed for losing so many prisoners, he prepares to kill himself.  At that moment, Paul calls out to him to not hurt himself because all the prisoners were still there.

Here is the crucial moment that surprised me.  When the jailer ran into the cell, what was his first question?  I expected him to say, ‘Why are you still here!?’  But what did he really say?

‘Sirs, What must I do to be saved?’

It blows me away that this is his first response!  What does that mean?  It means, that he didn’t need to ask my question.  He knew why they were still in their cells.  The jailer wanted to know how he could have the peace that they had.  He wanted to be saved.

It amazes me to think that just by singing and praying in front of this man, Paul and Silas had successfully communicated some key thoughts/ideas to the jailer.

We are all imprisoned in sin.  Are we singing amongst our fellow prisoners?  Are you sharing your faith with those who are outside your fellowship?  Imagine the power of your song of faith!  Let’s all do a better job of getting out there with the joy of our salvation!

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