If you are new to the blog or haven’t stopped by in a couple of days, I encourage you to check out the previous two entries, Exasperated and Listening, in the “archive” section to get caught up on today's scene in the story.
Acts 16
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. 35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.” 37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison - and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!” 38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
Apologized. In this part of the story, we get to watch two apologies unfold. The one is expressed gently with actions that demonstrate sincere regret. The other is expressed hurriedly with words that demonstrate self preservation. If you are like me, you have experienced and expressed both apologies. It is interesting how revealing an apology can be. It is sad how damaging something meant to bring healing can be. It is amazing how healing someone who caused damage can be. What do your apologies reveal about you?
1 comment:
Paul and Silas did not hastily leave town either. When the magistrates had made their apology, Paul and Silas made their way to the home of Lydia. They would have needed to regroup with Timothy, and they also needed to use this as an opportunity to encourage the believers in this new church. What Paul would write to these saints at a later time was also relevant on this occasion:
12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel: 13 The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ (Philippians 1:12-13).
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