Advent Devotional for Dec. 16
Tuesday, December 16 Acts 16:25-34
Sometimes we heal by laying down our rights.
To be a jailor was to take your life into your own hands in those days; if your prisoners escaped, especially high-level prisoners, you usually paid with your life. So imagine the jailor’s concern when an earthquake occurs and Paul and Silas, public enemies #1 and #1a, are your prisoners. In fact, when the jailor sees the prison doors wide open, he draws his sword and prepares to save the executioner some time and money when Paul yells out, “Stop! Don’t do it! We’re all here!” And they are. Paul and Silas had such an impact on their fellow prisoners that they managed to convince them not to escape when they had a chance to return to their homes, families and livelihoods. The jailor is moved beyond description, falling down before Paul and Silas and saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
What sort of power must a person have to willingly remain in prison, knowing that their inner freedom means that their outward captivity is immaterial? This is real power which cannot be touched by the false political constructs of the day. And the jailor wants that power, wants to be saved and touched by the same power which has overcome Paul and Silas, and so he begs the men for their secret. They tell him, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” And he does, and he is.
We live in a culture obsessed with rights. Sometimes this is a very good thing, as Western civilization’s recognition of intrinsic human rights is the foundation of our society. But like all good desires, this can be warped, and we can become obsessed with maintaining, protecting and exercising our rights. Sometimes, though, the Gospel is best served by laying our rights down: maybe by moving into a neighborhood below your economic level to learn from folks the culture says are beneath you. Maybe by spending a week of rare and precious vacation building a home for someone who needs a home. Maybe by involving yourself in your church or community work when you want to be caring for yourself in some way. Often, we heal people when we willingly lay down that which is our right.
Sometimes we heal by laying down our rights.
To be a jailor was to take your life into your own hands in those days; if your prisoners escaped, especially high-level prisoners, you usually paid with your life. So imagine the jailor’s concern when an earthquake occurs and Paul and Silas, public enemies #1 and #1a, are your prisoners. In fact, when the jailor sees the prison doors wide open, he draws his sword and prepares to save the executioner some time and money when Paul yells out, “Stop! Don’t do it! We’re all here!” And they are. Paul and Silas had such an impact on their fellow prisoners that they managed to convince them not to escape when they had a chance to return to their homes, families and livelihoods. The jailor is moved beyond description, falling down before Paul and Silas and saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
What sort of power must a person have to willingly remain in prison, knowing that their inner freedom means that their outward captivity is immaterial? This is real power which cannot be touched by the false political constructs of the day. And the jailor wants that power, wants to be saved and touched by the same power which has overcome Paul and Silas, and so he begs the men for their secret. They tell him, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” And he does, and he is.
We live in a culture obsessed with rights. Sometimes this is a very good thing, as Western civilization’s recognition of intrinsic human rights is the foundation of our society. But like all good desires, this can be warped, and we can become obsessed with maintaining, protecting and exercising our rights. Sometimes, though, the Gospel is best served by laying our rights down: maybe by moving into a neighborhood below your economic level to learn from folks the culture says are beneath you. Maybe by spending a week of rare and precious vacation building a home for someone who needs a home. Maybe by involving yourself in your church or community work when you want to be caring for yourself in some way. Often, we heal people when we willingly lay down that which is our right.
posted by Michael Jordan at 6:00 AM
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