Dear children,
Do you know about the jailer in the Bible?
The story of the jailer is found in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 16:25-34. In this passage, two Jesus followers, Paul and Silas, are severely beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. How and why they are imprisoned is a story for another day. Today, I want to talk about the jailer, the man who ran the jail Paul and Silas are in.
Now, despite their circumstances, as Paul and Silas are chained up in the inner prison, they are praying and singing hymns to God. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shakes the prison, opening the doors and loosening the chains of all the prisoners. The jailer, fearing that the prisoners have escaped, is about to take his own life. However, Paul stops him, assuring him that all the prisoners are still there. Moved by this, the jailer asks Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. They respond, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household" (Acts 16:31). The jailer and his family then believe, are baptized, and rejoice in their newfound faith.
What we see in this story is interesting. But so is what we don't see.
Notice that Paul doesn't set any preconditions on what the jailer must do to be saved. He doesn't say you must set us free. He doesn't say, "Change your life, man. Be a good person, don't tell lies, give your money to the poor, then you'll be saved."
No, Paul tells him salvation is simple, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…"
Did you know Paul was actually quoting Jesus? The jailer was asking a very similar question to one Jesus received. Remember what Jesus said in John 6:28-29. When asked by the people, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent."
You can read on in the 16th chapter of Acts to see what happened with the jailer. I think this story beautifully illustrates the power of the gospel and the immediate transformation it brings to those who simply trust in Jesus.
Love you,
Dad