Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
The doors flew open. The prisoners’ chains were pulled loose. And earthquake or no earthquake, the jailer knew who would be blamed for the escapes: him. Better to die a quick, private 
death than torture and public humiliation, he decided, drawing his sword. There was no other way out.
But there was. And it was those who had been physically imprisoned who saved him, Paul calling out, “Do no harm to yourself; we are all here” (Acts 16:28). It was a conversion moment none of them likely expected. But in total despair, the jailer found Christ’s mercy in the form of Paul and Silas.
The jailer and his entire family were baptized into the faith. The next day, Paul and Silas were formally released.
Consider, on the other hand, the way Judas’ life ended. Jesus had been turned over to the authorities, and Judas knew who would be blamed: him. Better to die a quick, private death than account for this seemingly unforgivable sin, he decided, putting the noose around his neck. There was no other way out.
It happens all the time, people feeling boxed in by their situations, whether they caused them or they were victims of circumstance. When we observe them, who will we be: those who turned away from Judas, or Paul and Silas?
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