Why Do We Not Want To Minister To Prisoners?
Most church going people are familiar with the story of the "Prodigal son" (Luke 15:11-31) This is where the younger son went to his father and asked for his inheritance in advance. After his money was spent, he found himself low enough to eat pig slop, then, realized that his father’s slaves led a better life than what he was leading. Maybe he could get his father to accept him as a slave?
In this story, we see the father, (representing God) not only welcoming His wayward son (representing those of us who rejected God for a time) home with open arms, but throwing a party in his honor. This is where most people stop. But, what about the older brother?
In verses 28 through 31, we see a resentful young man, who stayed with his father, "did all the right things", but "never got a party with the fatted calf". Many people in churches today are like the older brother. They see themselves as better than those who have lived a life of sin. Many of them grew up going to church and continued participating in church activities. Some are there every time the church doors are open. I have not only met people like this during my travels, but I was one of them.
In many ways, I was like the older brother, the one who stayed home. I grew up going to church. My parents would encourage me to go, even when they did not go themselves. As an adult, I was active in many church programs. I "played the game" well. I even had myself fooled. Well, sort of anyway. Whenever some conflict came up, I would come up with some sort of excuse. Things like, having more than one girlfriend was okay, because David had concubines. I knew the best place to meet "nice girls" was in church. If I was lucky, I could hook up with one who was playing the same game. People would say, "What a nice couple". If they only knew. If other people could live a life of sin, partying and living in the world, then turn to God, why couldn’t I stay close to the church and live the way I wanted? As for those who chose to turn back to God, those like the younger brother? Well, they got what they deserved, Right? When I was asked to get involved in prison ministry, I had all kinds of excuses.
I figured that anyone who was in prison deserved to be there. They had their chance to live their lives "right" and blew it. "There are chaplains in the prisons anyway." Why should I risk my life and safety to go in to a place like that with "those" people? Besides, I was busy teaching Sunday School and doing other things in the church. Wasn’t that enough?
Eventually, I began to realize that I was not living the life I should; a life reflecting the Savior in whom I professed to have faith. As a matter of fact, I was leading a life that could lead to serious trouble. So, I decided to change. The more I tried change in my own strength, the harder it got.
1 Timothy 1:8-11 directs,
"that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust." (NKJV)
This seems like an easy thing to deal with at first. Then, comes the section about "any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine". God’s word also tells us that "there is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10 NKJV). So, although we are not under the law, the law was still made for each one of us.
After surrendering my life to Jesus Christ, as my Lord and Savior, I figured that things would get better and I could put my old life behind me. Little did I realize that God had other plans. He used my former life to put me in the very place I saw no point in going. Three years in a state prison. Now I was one of "them"; those people who were right where they needed to be. "Those people" were, according to the crowd I hung with, "lower than the scum on my shoe." I did not want to visit prisoners, then I became one.
Not everyone needs to be sent to prison to have their eyes opened, any more than being hit by a car. Some of us are a little more stubborn than the rest. Having been in prison, I have a special interest in reaching these men and women. But, it shouldn’t take that kind of encouragement. God’s word is full of instructions and had I paid attention to the lessons I taught, maybe I would not have found myself there.
Speaking as one who has been on the inside, outside contact is what keeps many going. It did for me. I was blessed with a loving wife and family who stood by me. Most of the men I knew in prison were not. What better way to spread the gospel of God’s love, than to share it with those in such need. Many on the inside are at the lowest point in their lives and if they do not find the right path to follow, will be lost forever. Others, think that they are alright and that they have learned their lesson, but because they have no foundation, they know no better. Without Christ and the support of His body, many of these men and women will be doomed to a cycle of life with no hope.
The Lord commanded "Love your neighbor as yourself" in Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43; 19:19; Mark 12:31; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; and James 2:8. So, why don’t we? Many reasons. There is always something else to do. "Someone else is more qualified or better at it than I am", is one I hear a lot. "I just don’t have the time", is another one. James 2:9 continues the thought a bit further, "But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors."(NKJV)
Jesus told of His coming in glory in Matthew 25, verses 31 to 46. In speaking to those on His right hand, the sheep, He says to them,
"Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." (NKJV)
He is telling us of the need to care for those less fortunate than ourselves, to visit those who are sick and in prison. We are blessed if we belong to God. Are we too pious to share that blessing?
What about those on the left? The goats?
41
"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ (NKJV)
Are you willing to take the chance of Jesus telling you "Depart from me... you did not visit me."?
Jesus did not come to those who were righteous but to sinners to repentance. In Matthew 9:10-13, Mark 2:15-17 and Luke 5:30-32, Jesus is "dining with sinners". When the Pharisees questioned His disciples, Jesus responded,
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Mark 2:17 (NKJV)
If this is important enough to be in three of the four gospels, I believe that the Lord is impressing upon us to do likewise. When others ask you why you spend the time visiting with "those people", you can tell them that you are following the example set for you by the Lord. Not to become pious, but out of humility.
For reference:
1. The brother of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-31; emphasize 28-31)
2. "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8)
3. "The law is for such as these.." (1Timothy 1:8-11)
4. "I was in prison and you visited me.." (Matthew 25:31-36)
5. "For the sick are in need of a physician" (Psalm 25:8; 51:13; Matthew 9:10-13; 11:19; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:30-32; 7:34; 13:2-4; 15:1-2; John 9:31; 5:8; 1Timothy 1:15; James 4:8)
