Daily Devotional

In this Philippian Jailer, we find someone in need. He had his health, a degree of economic security, a loving family. But this Jailor was in need.
This Jailor needed to be saved from sin. He was falling short of the mark, and he couldn’t do anything on his own to change that reality. And Paul and Silas represent the Church responding to this man’s need.
Around midnight, Paul and Silas began to worship God—they prayed and sang hymns. And as they worshipped, God intervened. There was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken. The doors were opened and the shackles fell from each person’s hand. The Jailer feared that the prisoners had escaped. In his despair, he drew his sword and would have killed himself. But Paul cried out from the darkness, “Jailor, do yourself no harm.”
The world is caught up in self-destructive behavior today—substance abuse, family decay, senseless violence and bloodshed. And we who are the Church must cry out, “In the name of Jesus, do yourself no harm. Come out of the darkness of despair and walk in the light of His love.”
When the Jailor heard that Paul was still in prison, suddenly his eyes were open. He saw himself as he really was. He realized that he was lost and needed to be saved. He came and fell at Paul and Silas’ feet and, with tears in his eyes, he asked, “What must I do to really live?” Paul responded, “Put your entire trust in the Master, Jesus.” He shared with him the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and this Jailor and his family experienced salvation.
To rightly represent the Church on mission in the world, we sieze every opportunity to share with them about the One called Jesus.

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