Behind Bars
What would you do for Jesus? How far would you take this whole religion thing?
Would you go to a foreign city to tell others about Jesus? Maybe we should back up. Would you share Jesus with your next-door neighbor? Some seem to find some special virtue in preaching Jesus to souls across the globe, and yet they have not yet approached their own community. You don’t earn extra Christian points the farther you get from home.
Would you be beaten for Jesus? Paul and Silas were preaching in Philippi when a servant girl, possessed by a demon, began following them around and telling everyone that Paul and Silas were “bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). I always chuckle when I read that Paul was “greatly annoyed” with this and cast out the demon in Jesus’ name. It seems he had picked on the wrong servant girl, though, because her masters became very upset and dragged them before the city council. They were beaten with rods. I believe that means they were caned. They were “struck with many blows” (Acts 16:23). Would you do that for Jesus?
Would you sing in jail for Jesus? Not only were Paul and Silas willing to endure all this for the Lord, but they were willing to maintain a good attitude the whole time! Let’s say you were beaten and your feet were fastened to stocks in an inner prison…likely a cave of some sort with bars on the front. Would your reaction be to sing and pray? I’d certainly be praying, but I’m not sure it would prayers of praise. I hope it would be…but I’d surely pray for myself. Paul and Silas sang praises to God.
As we consider what these brave men and women endured for Christ, we might reflect on our own devotion. How strong is our faith? How far would we go for Him? There’s a prison here in Covington, LA. Would I be willing to be locked up there for a while because of the name of Jesus?
Any thoughts?
God bless,
Nathan
