Prison Break

Read: Acts 12

There is LIFE in none other than Christ; and there is NOTHING in this world that can bind a believer without God’s permission. This is one of many instances where a child of God is thrown in jail. It is so foreign for us as Christians in America today. The idea of putting someone in prison for what they believe is very alive and well though. We have been praying for two brothers in India since January who have been thrown in prison because of their ministry. (Rescuing abandoned children, and legally freeing slave children (buying or negotiating their freedom), and running a school / orphanage to raise those kids…over 1500 of them… is evidently deemed as “disturbing the harmony of the (Hindu) community” and punishable by going to jail. Oof!) As Christ followers, we rest in this truth: that God will ransom and set free his children at the right time from ANYTHING or ANYONE that binds them. Sometimes this comes as “joy in the cell” - the freedom to sing and rejoice despite the circumstances. Sometimes this freedom comes from leaving this world and entering the next. And sometimes it comes when, “…an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.” (v.7)

This is what Christ has come to do: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners…To open blind eyes,To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. “ (cf. Luke 4:18; Is 61:1, 42:7) Jesus is not only speaking about actual prisons, but rather EVERYTHING that seeks to enslave us and trap us. It is towards this end that the people of God GATHER and PRAY here in Acts 12. “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church…the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, (is) where many were gathered together and were praying. (v.5,12) We seek work alongside Christ to liberate those who are imprisoned… in what ever form it takes. We gather and pray for “freedom” from sin, death, past wounds, bad habits, self destructive tendencies, illness, depression, anxiety, whatever it is that imprisons us. To reject or oppose the work of Christ will simply lead to death. We see this here as well.

“And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death.” (v.19) The freeing of Peter meant the death of those soldiers. God was not ignorant of this fact. In Christ there is LIFE, in opposition to Christ there is DEATH… both physical and spiritual / eternal death. For believers, death is liberating… for those apart from Christ it is the beginning of the bitter “end”. Those who were martyred for Christ knew this truth… it is why Paul declares: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me..I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” (Phil 1:21-24) This is why we do not fear death. Jesus has “set us free from being life long slaves to the fear of dying.” (cf. Heb. 2:14) God will always come for his children. Jesus will always ransom us and set us free from what oppresses us and imprisons us. Jesus is a liberating. It may come via joy in the midst of suffering. It may come by escaping this world. Or it may come by through an angel extraction team. Jesus will leave “no man behind.” To try to “guard” against the work of Christ is to welcome death and destruction.

This is REAL. It is hard to believe or trust at times. It may seem odd to lean into Christ and seek HIS rescue form what imprisons you! You may feel helpless… utterly controlled by your habits… held captive by unhealthy relationships… or literally imprisoned like our friends. It is not always easy to trust… in any of those scenarios. This is why we “gather and pray” at “Mary’s house” for one another. We are praying for rescue… for FREEDOM. What holds you captive? Do you feel trapped in a prison? Are you fearful of the very real potential that Christians will become the “outlaws” ever here in America someday? How are we currently praying for our brothers and sisters who are in “prison”. ( I know my friend Senter puts this into action… he cares for a brother in Christ who is in prison right now… praying for him… and taking calls from him even when it disrupts his day! It is an inspiration.) Christ will ALWAYS bring freedom one way or another. As God’s people, we are one who work towards FREEDOM on behalf of others… and just Christ will bring it for us! Love you guys. - JDP