In between sports seasons, I take my youngest two, Daniel and Lydia, to play frisbee golf on Saturdays. Usually, lunch is involved, either before or after to encourage participation. Once we reach our favorite course at Canby Park, some discs go way off course, often requiring a search and rescue crew. These undesirable terrains include winding creeks, sticker bushes and wild vegetation. It’s not uncommon to get cut and bleed profusely without recognizing it right away.
And they spoke the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their bloody wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household, Acts 16:32-33.
A similar phenomena happened to the apostle Paul and Silas in the passage above. Twenty four hours earlier, these men were beaten with rods. According to Luke, each were struck several times, Acts 16:23. After being thrown into a dungeon and feet fastened to stocks in an agonizing position, their initial pain was redirected in another direction. Despite this momentary setback, a time of prayer and worship served as a distraction. Caught up in the excitement of a jailor and his family coming to faith in Christ, Paul and Silas forgot about their bloody wounds.
Then he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, since he had believed in God with his entire family [accepting with joy what had been made known to them about the Christ], Acts 16:34.
When human hearts and minds are set on things above, temporary pains fade away, Colossians 3:1-3. Jesus taught his disciples to become fishers of men, winning souls to believe in God. Whenever individuals witness a spiritual transformation, it’s a cause for a celebration. Following the baptism of a jailor and his entire family, a party is thrown like a modern day church reception. As the lost come to their senses, a celebration of faith is in order. According to Luke, angels celebrate in heaven each time a sinner repents, Luke 15:10.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 