Stroll through Scripture for Sunday April 26, 2026

Based on Acts 16:16–34

This passage of Scripture has so many layers to it. The first layer is just on the surface of what is going on — what you read it what you get. But start peeling layers and you’ll find some incredible things going on.

One of the deep layers of this story is the tie between abusive arrangements and money. Money on its own is neither good nor bad. The much-quoted verse about money in Scripture is often misquoted. Money is not root of all evil, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. And in this passage, we see abusive slave owners who have a deep love of money. When Paul casts the spirit of divination out of the slave girl, their biggest concern is not the welfare of the female slave, but rather, that their money-making machine was just shut down.

The slave owners get upset and seize Paul and Silas, hurl made up charges against them, have them beaten, and put in jail. No trial, no fact finding, no justice. That’s how abusive arrangements of power work. How many people have been unjustly jailed in history and still today? How many people have been picked up by ICE and deported without any due process? There is nothing new under the sun.

While in jail, God intercedes, causing an earthquake which shakes the foundation of the jail, opening the door of the cells and breaking open the chains on the prisoners. Abusive arrangements of power cause harm while God’s actions set people free. The earthquake is labeled as violent, but this violence is a deep contrast with the violence that Paul and Silas experienced at the hands of the slave owners and the crowd. This is a huge contrast on full display. So much so that Paul and Silas prevent the jail keeper from killing himself because of what happens at the jail. The jailer is set free from the abusive arrangement of power as well.

Paul and Silas receive a type of baptism into the violence of abuse and greed. In that system, everyone is disposable — the slave girl, Paul and Silas, and even the jailer. It seems appropriate that the slave owners are not named. The reality is they are just as disposable as everyone else in this arrangement.

But later in the story, we hear about the jailer being baptized. Coupled with this baptism, there is healing and the washing of wounds, there is food, and celebration. In this system, everyone is valued.

Originally published at https://pastormatthewbest.com on April 22, 2026.