From Prison to Freedom

Around noon one day I lay in my prison cell staring at the tile ceiling, when all of a sudden I heard voices coming down the long hallway leading to my cell. I jumped up out of my cot, and thought, this can’t be good. It was the jailer and the centurion talking about the prisoner that they had to release at this time of the year, over the time of the feast, and man they didn’t sound very happy! But I knew I couldn’t raise my hopes one fraction. There was no chance I would ever be released, after all the horrible things I had done, I knew that! But then those men stopped in front of my cell and glared through the bars at me. I thought they were just mocking me, and so I just turned away from them in regret. Then I heard the keys rattle in the door. What could be happening!? The door swung open, and the jailer said, “Barabbas you are free”. Free? What?! I couldn’t believe what I just heard! How could that be after all the bad things I had done! Yes, Barabbas was free. And just like Barabbas, you and I were in prison- the prison of sin where Satan is the jailer. But one day those shackles were gone and we were released from our past. I don’t know what Barabbas did with his life after he was released from prison. But when I can grasp the depth of what Jesus redeemed me of, how can I hold back from telling others about the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36. If you are still in prison, cry out to the Lord, because your deliverance has already been provided for. When you cry out, your door will be opened, and you will be free! Do we believe that, or are we still struggling with doubts and fears of committing the unpardonable sin? Do we believe the lies of the enemy that says God could never forgive a wretch like me? Or do we believe the word of truth, God’s truth, that says if we confess our sins, God will forgive us as far as the east is from the west! And just like they came to get Barabbas out of that dark, stinky, lonely prison cell, Jesus came for us as well. We are just one step away! The enemy wants us to believe we are a million miles away from being who God designed us to be. But let’s cling to God’s truth, we are the crown of His creation! He loved us while we were yet sinners! His mercy and His grace is new every day! Praise the Lord! And thank you Jesus for redeeming me from my prison cell!

Saved by grace,

Harlan