Jump Start # 798

Acts 16:39 “So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.”

Our verse today is interesting. It is an attempt to correct a serious mistake. We find ourselves on both sides of this situation at times. There may be occasions in which someone has done wrong to us, serious wrong. The mistakes cost us money and much grief. Other times, we may be the one who hurt someone else, not intentionally,  but it happened. A lesson to be learned.

Acts 16 is best known as the conversion of the jailer. This took place in the city of Philippi. The events leading up to this become the basis of our verse today. Paul and Silas were preaching in the city. A female slave who was possessed by a demon was being used to make money telling fortunes. The demon recognized Paul as a servant of Christ. Demons knew who Jesus was. They believed, the book of James tells us. Paul cast the demon out. The owners of the slave lost their money ticket and became angry. These owners stirred up a crowd against Paul and Silas and took them before the city officials. Trumped up accusations were charged against them. The magistrates ordered the prisoners to be beaten with rods and thrown into prison. They were shackled. It is here at midnight, bloodied, tired, beaten Paul and Silas sing praises to God. The prison doors open. No one escapes. The jailer fearing the worst, attempts to take his own life. Paul pleads with him and then tells him about Jesus. The jailer is baptized that night. The next morning, the magistrates announce that Paul and Silas can be set free.  When the jailers release Paul, he reveals that he is a Roman citizen. He was beaten publicly and now was be released secretly. This was a real problem. When the magistrates learn that they beat a Roman citizen, they recognize that they broke the law and would be in trouble. It is here that they come and apologize to Paul.

Apologies for beating someone with rods? Apologies for abusing an innocent person? Doesn’t seem enough. Today, lawsuits would be filed quickly. That didn’t happen in Acts 16.

Two lessons:

First, from the standpoint of someone who did wrong, the magistrates. If word reached the governor or worse Rome that they abused a fellow citizen, they would not only lose their positions but likely their heads. Rome had double standards. The citizens of Rome had privileges that others did not. It was Roman law that crucified Jesus upon the cross. No Roman would be executed that way. Foreigners, yes. Jews, absolutely. Not Romans. The magistrates made a grave mistake. They realized this. They did not try to blame others, excuse themselves. Instead of sending an apology, they went to the prison, face to face with Paul and apologized. That was necessary. Sending a letter, or today, an email or text, or sending someone else, when you are the one who did wrong, isn’t enough. I’m impressed that they went. There is a lesson for us. When we have recognized that we are wrong, we must be the one who apologies. Sometimes this is hard for the male gender. We tend to kick things under the rug, find excuses, blame long working hours instead of just apologizing. Saying, “I’m sorry, I was wrong,” is admitting defeat and failure. It is declaring that your words, actions, attitudes were not right. Some are not good at that. Swallowing pride isn’t easy, but unless it is done, matters only get worse. Any lame excuse sent from the magistrates would have only made things worse. They came. They apologized. Also, remember, any apology to be accepted must be genuine. Simply saying the words, “I’m sorry,” doesn’t magically make everything better. Sometimes young people can make a real mess of their lives, and they think telling their parents, ‘I’m sorry,’ ought to fix things. Often it doesn’t.

Second, from the standpoint of one who was injured, Paul and Silas. It is important to accept apologies and extend forgiveness. Look at the situation here in Acts 16. We are not talking about a miss spoken word or gossip. They were beaten with rods, thrown into the inner prison and shackled. The words, ‘I’m sorry,’ doesn’t remove bruises from arms or hearts. Beaten with rods or beaten with words, the injuries caused takes time to heal. A man who has cheated on his wife cannot believe that simply saying, “I’m sorry,” is gong to make everything better. I am impressed that the Scriptures do not show any words from Paul or Silas after the apology. Sometimes there is little to be said. Sometimes saying I’m sorry is all that can be done. Making things right is in order when we have hurt someone. But some times we can’t make things right. All we can do is apologize. Accepting an apology is just as important and often just as hard as giving an apology. Accepting an apology can be a huge test of our faith. Will we act like a Christian and extend grace and forgiveness, or will we become rude, offensive, mean and demanding? It seems that some forget that they have those choices. They act as if they have to return evil to evil to make things right. Making things right usually means getting even. It often entails hurting someone else. Some feel it is now their right, since they have been hurt.

Beaten preachers were apologized to. Paul and Silas would carry on. This wouldn’t ruin them, finish them nor defeat them. They wouldn’t complain nor be the victim because of this. They were following a higher road. They didn’t wear their feelings on their sleeves and they didn’t allow this event to define them.

Can we learn from this? I have known some to leave a congregation and even quit their journey with Christ all because of something dumb someone else said to them. No beatings. No rods. No shackles. No prison. Just dumb words, that’s all it took for some to throw in the towel and quit. Really? Look at Paul and Silas. Maybe we do well to get over ourselves and walk by faith.

Apologies in a prison is a lesson for all of us.

Roger