Paul and Silas are on a missionary journey in Philippi preaching the Gospel, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. But soon, they are confronted with opposition that looks different to what they have previously encountered. A slave girl possessed by a spirit brings substantial profit to her owners by telling fortunes. This girl follows Paul and Silas declaring truth about them. “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” She kept doing this for many days. And that’s where things are different to previous opposition. She wasn’t opposing them but revealing them. But Paul, concerned by her persistent cries, commands the spirit to leave her.
Suddenly, her life changes, but not without consequences for Paul and Silas. Paul and Silas’ actions lead to their arrest and beating. They are stripped, beaten, and thrown into prison. I wonder what is going through their minds? Did we do something wrong? Why has God let this happen when all we were doing was proclaiming his word to others.
In our lives, being faithful to God sometimes comes at a price. When we stand for God’s ways over against the ways of the world, we may face opposition, ridicule, or even persecution. Comment on something on social media upholding Chrisitan principles and watch the hatred come your way. Yet, the cost is overshadowed by the joy of knowing you are proclaiming God’s word. As St Paul says – How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!. Paul is quoting Isaiah – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Despite their harsh circumstances, Paul and Silas do not complain. Instead, they choose to turn their situation to praise and an opportunity to further the Gospel. At midnight, in the darkest hour, they begin to pray and sing hymns to God, and the other prisoners listen. Their choice to worship despite their prison chains is a testament to their faith and an example of God’s mysterious ways that what man intends for harm and evil, God can turn into blessing and opportunity. When we face our darkest moments perhaps the response of faith is to turn to God in worship. Praise and prayer has the power to not only witness but to shift our perspective on what we are going through. It may not change the situation but may direct us to opportunity to witness. It draws us closer to God and reminds us of His goodness and love. And assures us his rule and authority as Jesus discovered from the cross. That in his pain and humiliation on the cross Jesus sees it as an opportunity for witness and show grace. Forgive them Father for they know not what they are doing. And what is the response to this from the centurion watching? When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
As we worship, we can transform our suffering into witnesses of divine encounter. As Paul and Silas lifted their voices in praise, an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison – similar to what happened at the crucifixion. All the doors flew open, and their chains fell off. The jailer, awakened by the earthquake, feared that the prisoners had escaped and was on the verge of taking his own life. But Paul calls out, assuring him that they are all present. Instead of seeing an opportunity to flee Paul uses his new found freedom to witness. In this divine encounter of rescue, the jailer asks the life-changing question: “What must I do to be saved?”
Had Paul and Silas not cast out the demon from the girl – had they not been arrested and thrown in prison – would this jailer ever had the opportunity to hear the Gospel? Paul and Silas respond with confidence: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” This profound encounter speaks to the heart of the Gospel: belief in Jesus leads to salvation as Jesus himself declared in John 3:16 – whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. As he repeated in Mark 16 – whoever believes and is baptised will be saved. And this promise to the jailer effected not only him but also carries the promise of reaching his loved ones as he continues Paul and Silas’s witness. In our lives we may question why God allows us to go through times of suffering.
But who of us knows where that suffering may reach out to others. I encounter many who are bedridden wondering why God doesn’t just take them home now. And I aways say – because God has not stopped using you to deliver the Gospel. “But Pastor, how can I do that – I’m in bed doing nothing”. What was Paul and Silas doing? They weren’t going to the other prisoners to share the Gospel. No – they lived out their faith singing hymns and praising God.
No doubt the other prisoners would have wondered – what do they have to sing about. And that’s where we can be witnesses even when bedridden – by continuing to show our faith in God. And as St Peter says – in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, Peter does not say – go out into the street corners with a megaphone and tell every they are sinners and are going to burn in hell if they don’t repent. No – honour Christ as Lord in your heart.
As we reflect today on Paul and Silas in prison, let us remember that our circumstances do not define the presence of God in our lives. od doesn’t make you suffer because you’ve done something wrong.
God also doesn’t make things happen to further the Gospel but rather will use your circumstances to further the Gospel. God didn’t send Paul and Silas to prison – no the evil authorities did. But God used this evil to bring about good. In our darkest hours, God’s light shines the brightest. As Psalm 23 says – even though I walk through the darkest valley I will not be afraid for you are with me. As Paul said – when I am weak then I am strong because the power of Christ rests on me.
Worship is God’s greatest gift as a weapon against fear and despair caused by Satan. Like Paul and Silas, let us lift our voices in praise and trust singing hymns and songs praising God to celebrate God’s promise of freedom. Let us flee from shackles—those chains that bind us, whether they be of sin, doubt, or fear. And in doing so, may we lead others to the freedom found in Jesus Christ.
