JESUS IN PRISON
Was Jesus ever in prison? That’s a good question. Almost all reliable knowledge we have about Jesus, the founder of Christian faith, comes from the Bible. So, in order to find an answer to any question about him, we need to check what that book says.
We don’t find any report in the Bible of Jesus being imprisoned. However, there was an occasion when he said the following: “I was in prison, and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:36). Why did he say that if he was never put in jail?
That question leads us to something very beautiful: Jesus loves all kinds of people so much that he totally identifies with them. Especially those who have troubles in life. Those who are poor, those who are lonely, those who are hungry and thirsty – for food for their bodies as well as their souls and hearts. In our days, there are lots of poor people in this world. Even in so-called rich countries we find them. Many are so much in lack of being loved and feeling loved. Especially lack of father’s love. Maybe you also?
Some time ago, members of our KingLove team had the chance to visit a prison in Bangkok, Thailand. As we were led into the venue, we saw around one hundred ladies sitting on the floor. All with light blue shirts and face masks on. They were looking at us, and their eyes were full of beauty and sadness. We heard that many of them never had relatives coming to visit them. Most of them were there because of illegal use or distribution of drugs.
Our partner church in Bangkok is called First Love Church. The pastor couple of that church have, both, experienced being a prisoner. They know what it is like to be inside such a place. We watched how they managed to connect with the women sitting in rows on the floor. They made them laugh and shout. They made them feel seen. And loved.
They approached each one in this big group of unknown prisoners as a precious, unique person worth being respected. So, yes: Jesus has been in prison. He was there in Samut Songkhram Central Prison on that day. He was standing in front, smiling at the unlucky girls on the floor. He was making his way to one of them who broke down in tears as pastor Tiwan sang a song, embracing her warmly. Jesus was also sitting on the floor. He made himself one with those prisoners when he said the words we quoted: “I was in prison, and you came to visit me.”
That is the core of Christian faith. In Jesus’ eyes, nobody is unimportant. You are important to him. He knows you. He knows your life story. Both the good and the bad stuff. You need him. He gives people things which are very valuable and needed. More than money can pay for. Love. Forgiveness. Respect. Truth. Hope. You can’t buy that in any store or order it online, but Jesus gives it for free. There are thousands and thousands of testimonies of how people’s lives have been completely changed by Jesus. He’s for you, not against you. And he’s near you also.
We just want you to know.
