As some of you already know, I work in law enforcement. A few months ago, on a particular morning, I met a few prisoners. In my profession, it is very common. The prisoners were donned with green jump suits, leg shackles, handcuffs, and belly chains. An alien from some distant planet could have surmised that the prisoners’ liberties had been taken. Upon meeting the prisoners, I asked, “How’s it going?” I was trying to be nice, not facetious. Nevertheless, the obvious answer for most people would be something like this: “I’m in green jump suit for Pete’s sake, how the hell do you think it’s going?” However, the first prisoner looked at me, smiled, and said, “I’m blessed”. Then he began to testify to the rest of the prisoners. After my co-workers and I had unhooked the prisoners and placed them in holding cells, one of my law enforcement colleagues, said gruffly, “If I ever need to find Jesus, I know where he is. He’s always locked up somewhere”.
I have to admit that the “Jail-house Jesus” is as common as the “Jail-house Lawyer” in the criminal justice system. Some people use their newfound status in God’s kingdom to change their ways. Some don’t. Regardless, this prisoner in the green jump suit is going to be my neighbor in heaven someday. When he made the decision to accept Jesus, angels were rejoicing in heaven. It may not be a big deal in the local jail, but there was a Derby Party in heaven.
The prisoner was also enjoying his “freedom”. He was smiling “from ear to ear” as my mom would say. He was at peace, and he knew it. It was probably purest form of joy that I have ever seen. Furthermore, he was so happy that he had to share the good news with other people. Folks, that’s what being a Christian is all about. And I witnessed it in a very unlikely place.
I’m not an expert in anything, but I think that I know why people find Jesus in jail. Unfortunately, most people think that they can run their lives without help. They think that they can accomplish anything through their wit and determination…..until something happens that’s out of their control or until they have hit rock-bottom.
It could be anything. For some people, it may be a serious illness. For some people, it may be looking at 20 years in prison. When things are out of control and/or people have hit rock-bottom, they start looking for comfort. That’s when they find Jesus.
Then I thought about my colleague who said, “If I ever need to find Jesus, I know where he is. He’s always locked up somewhere”. These adjectives came to mind: stubborn, close-minded, arrogant, and blind. And I felt sorry for him. He simply couldn’t realize that the prisoner was, in fact, “free-er” than he was.