“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25:36
Why should the church send volunteers into prisons? Several volunteers from churches visited prisoners where I worked. One charismatic man led worship services and Bible studies. I asked him why he came to minister to the men. He said, “When a person has been forgiven much, much is required.” The prisoners were attracted to him. One wrote him, “Because you and your wife come here, I know I’m not alone.” This man and his wife communicated a deep gratitude for their own forgiveness through Jesus, and they wanted others to know the joy of it, too.
Sadly, some prisoners never receive a single visit throughout their entire prison sentence. Some see visits taper off and eventually end. Family and friends stop coming as they lose interest or find the drive too long.
Jesus keeps coming to us, proclaiming good news through the church, employees, other prisoners, chaplains, and volunteers. We don’t choose the places where He goes, or who will take hold of His words. Jesus visits us and befriends us, as undeserving as we are.



Scripture Focus

Luke 4:18-21

Insight

The Holy Spirit moves through our lives regardless of our circumstances, whether we are in places we think of as sacred or ordinary.

Bible In A Year

  • Leviticus 21-22
  • Psalm 57
  • Luke 21

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