Prison Break

One of the most interesting, unusual and fulfilling assignments I had as an Army Chaplain was the 18 months I served, “Behind Bars” as a chaplain at the United States Disciplinary Barracks (U.S.D.B.).  I was actually the chaplain for the Military Police Battalion that served as the guard force for this Maximum Security Prison. 

Have you ever wondered what life behind bars would be like?  Well for most Christians the thought of experiencing life behind bars is a hard truth but did you know that of all the places Jesus told his followers to go, prison was near the top. 

In Matthew 25:45 it says “He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”  Jesus makes it clear that the eternal future of those who claim his name is directly tied to visiting “Him” in prison.  But then Jesus identified himself with the least, the last, and the lost.

While serving his own prison sentence for his part in the Watergate scandal, Chuck Colson, the former Nixon aide, found Christ.  After his release in 1976, he founded Prison Fellowship (www.prisonfellowship.org).  His organization gives prisoners the opportunity to experience the radically transforming power of Christ that he had already experienced.

Many Christians, like most people in the general public, seem to believe that prisoners are simply getting what they deserve and the more they suffer for their crimes, well, so much the better.

But remember, Jesus himself was convicted of crimes against the state.  Max Lucado reminds us that we are people who have been saved by a death row convict. 

What I discovered during my time behind bars is that prisons are not limited by brick and mortar.  There are people everywhere who are imprisoned by their circumstances:  poverty, abusive marriages, demeaning jobs, attitudes, anger and a whole host of other feelings that rise to the surface during times of stress. 

In fact, many of the inmates inside “The Castle” were more free that some of you.  They were free on the inside. 

When we are unable to manage the complexities of life or our circumstances, we are drawn to the power of the Holy Spirit to help us deal with those areas of life for which we find ourselves ill-equipped, uninformed, or unprepared.  In times like these remember that the Holy Spirit works within us to bring a sense of joy-centered peace, and a deep sense of compassion in our work and witness with others.

As Christians, we are called to tear down the prison walls.  Maybe that is exactly what Jesus intended for us to do.  Why not start today!