Day 47: Imprisoned

Matthew 25:37-40

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Comments

Jesus knew what it meant to be imprisoned with no one to visit him. His closest friends abandoned him when he was arrested; he faced his trial all alone.

God has a history of setting prisoners free. Joseph was set free from Pharaoh’s prison and many years later the Israelites were set free from slavery. Acts 16 tells how God used an earthquake to set Paul and Silas free from prison. Isaiah prophesied that prisoners would be set free as the power of the Lord came upon the Messiah.

Reflections

In the musical, Les Mis, Jean Valjean is told that he must forever wear a badge of dishonor designating him as a criminal. What are some barriers today’s prisoners face after they have served their time and been released?

Jean Valjean says to his jailer, Jauvert, “I am a man like any other.” Do you see criminals as being somehow different from “normal” people? What personal interactions have you had with anyone who has spent time in prison? Have you ever visited someone there?

Prayer

Forgive me, Lord, for those times when I imagine that the sins of those who are in prison are so very much worse than my own.