Acts 16:27
When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew [his] sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped.
Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the "Charlie Bit My Finger" video. That was one of the very first videos that went viral and Charlie and his brother are probably still today know as the "Charlie Bit My Finger" kids. It's hard to drop a label once others have branded you, whether that branding is your own doing or something that has been done to you.
This jailer failed at his job. Granted, he was up against God, so no matter how good he was at chaining people up, he didn't stand much of a chance. In ancient times if a guard fell asleep on the job the penalty was death. If it was modern times, this guard would probably feel like he would forever be known as the guy who let Paul get loose.
But then Paul spoke up, putting his own life in danger and reassured the jailer that he didn't have to take such drastic measures. He was able to witness to the jailer and give him a new identity - one that didn't depend on the reputation he had or the label that the world put on him. He was now a follower of Christ, an adopted son of the Father.
Your worldly label might be one that you are proud of or one that you are ashamed of and working hard to overcome - but no matter how others have branded you, the sign of the cross is the only label that truly identifies.
