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Acts 16:27-40
When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
I’ve been on several mission trips. The first was to Moscow, Russia where we not only shared the gospel with doctors and nurses there, we also visited a women’s prison, a Russian Orthodox monastery, and a small church after a cold ninety-minute train ride east of Moscow. It was an enchanting experience. The people there were very open to hearing about Jesus, and very willing to receive us graciously. Other trips included providing a one-week vision clinic in Kenya, and visiting small towns and large cities in China. One element of each of those mission trips was a time of fellowship with Christian brothers and sisters there, as well usually an excursion of interest – some down time while there.
I don’t want to compare our brief mission trips to Paul’s missionary activity except to say that not every moment is filled with front line gospel presentation activities. There is down time, times of worship and mutual encouragement, even a bit of R&R. Except for the R&R part, we are seeing these here in Paul and Silas’ time in Philippi. They definitely had times of clear gospel preaching. They got in trouble because of their confrontation of the demon-influenced servant girl who lost her money-making benefit to her masters. But even in prison they had their moments of worship. And after their release from jail, they reconnected with the new converts in the area as well as Lydia who had provided hospitality for them following her conversion.
Some people may have the idea that there can never be any down time if we are truly faithful disciples of Jesus. Every moment must be filled with Jesus talk and gospel sharing. It is true that Jesus is part of all of our lives as believers. Even Jesus was not always on the front lines of ministry. He sometimes withdrew for times of solitude and prayer. He was befriended by Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
Sometimes I’ve felt a bit self-conscious about those little diversions from the main work of the mission trip. But as I consider Paul’s example, I realize that those times not on the front lines are also important – if for no other reason than to strengthen the new believers and gain encouragement from them in the process.
Those times are at least in part what Jesus means when he speaks of abiding in him. Resting, staying, remaining, settling – so that we may produce the kind of fruit that honors God, blesses our neighbor, and renews our spirts.
Years ago, when a coworker found out that I was going to the seminary, he asked Diane, “What do you do for fun?” I suppose he thought every moment of a pastor’s life was filled with sermonizing, Bible reading, praying, and religious stuff. We do spend all our time with Jesus – at our best – and need him most at our worst. But he’s with us on the front lines of the mission as well as in the moments of rest and relaxation life sometimes affords. And on more than one occasion, we’ve been able to share the gospel even in those down times. You never know when the opportunity may arise.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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