A Willing Prisoner?

While praying this morning, I was reminded of when Peter was released from prison.  Herod had killed James the brother of John.  When he saw how it pleased the Jewish leaders, he also arrested and imprisoned Peter.  Acts 12:5-10 relates the details of Peter's miraculous release:  "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. ⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. ⁷ Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. ⁸ Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." ⁹ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him."

Peter was a Christian who followed Jesus to the end and the Holy Spirit worked mightily through him.  While he was in prison, people in the church were continually praying for his deliverance.  When the day of his likely public execution drew near, God sent an angel to free him from his bonds.  Peter was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly struck on the side and lifted to his feet as a light shown around him.  The chains fell from his wrists, Peter put on his clothes and shoes as he was commanded, and followed the angel to freedom.  The scene was so surreal that Peter figured he must have been dreaming.  It was not until he was outside the prison that he realized his deliverance from the prison was reality.

In a spiritual sense, every person is born into a prison of sin where Satan is the chief warden.  We are all like Peter, chained in a dungeon behind reinforced walls and doors.  There is no capacity for man to escape from this prison, nor is salvation or reconciliation obtainable through good behaviour.  The only way to be saved from our sin is to repent and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, following Him to the end.  The Bible does not say how long Peter was in prison.  Knowing that James had been killed with the sword and that likely death awaited him was not a enjoyable prospect to consider.  Can you imagine if Peter was so depressed because of his plight that when the angel slapped him on the side and raised him to his feet Peter lay back down between the Roman guards, rubbing his sore ribs?  How ridiculous it would seem for Peter to ignore the command of the angel to follow and willingly place his hands back into the shackles.  But this is the same thing defeated Christians can choose to do every day, believing that escape from the prison which holds them is futile.

The only thing more tragic than a person choosing to reject Jesus Christ is when those who have received Him through faith reject the hope, peace, and victory He has granted by grace.  That smack on Peter's side was intended to wake him up and bring him to his senses, not to make him cower in fear or pain.  Peter's escape from prison hinged upon one thing:  his obedience.  If Peter refused to follow the angel through the doors, he would have likely died in that prison.  As Peter followed in obedience, they walked right past posted guards.  They approached bolted doors and secured iron gates which swung open on their own accord.  Peter didn't have to break the necks of guards, strain at rusted locks, or dig his way free:  God loosed his chains, led him out of the prison, and delivered him by God's grace.

I read a story of a 59 year-old man in the States who robbed a bank of $1 the purpose of being arrested so he could go back to prison for health care purposes.  This story is not an isolated case.  There are people, believe it or not, who enjoy being inside prison more than being out of prison.  While incarcerated inmates are given a bed, clothes, access to clean water and showers, food at regular intervals they do not need to purchase or prepare, medical treatment, and have many friends and activities to pass the time.  Is it so crazy to think that there are professing Christians who willingly go back to a prison of sin for the perceived perks?  Friends, God did not save us so we can stay in bondage:  Jesus came to deliver the captives and set us free!  We must follow Him, and the doors Jesus opens none can shut.

For us who have been born again through faith in Jesus, we never need be arrested again.  Unlike Peter, should a Christian find himself in prison of sin again it is because he has willingly chosen to enter and remain.  Isaiah 54:17 promises us, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD."  I'm glad that God slaps me when I am in a sinful rut!  In love and grace He renews our minds and gives us strength to repent and follow Him again.  We have been saved not by works of righteousness we have done, but according to God's mercy.  Let us continually walk and rejoice in this fact!