Jesus Behind Bars

Before I knew it, the day came that we would be ministering at a women’s penitentiary. I was asked to give my testimony. I remember sitting and wondering how that would sound to these women. Any testimony, no matter how simple is a miracle so I wasn’t so worried about mine being so. But I couldn’t help but wonder… what they would think, would they be able to relate.

Everything was new for me because I’d never gone to a jail before. As we entered the building I felt a sort of foreboding. The high walls with coils of barbwire and watchtower made it obvious what the facility was for. Not the place was dank, dark and horrid. It was pleasant enough inside, with aqua blue walls, large court yards with benches, and the nursing rooms for the women (the penitentiary is for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth). But as I walked through the corridors I had this eerie feeling of what it would be like to be imprisoned. No liberty to go where you wanted or see the ones you love.

As the women filed into the terrace we would be meeting in we greeted them and spent some time talking with them and cooing over their baby’s. Then I went up and shared. I can’t really describe to you what I saw as I looked into the eyes of these women. Some were glazed, but not with tears, but with a sort of weary sorrow. Sidney spoke and his sister sang. Some of the girls from our home church danced and it was powerful but what I really want to share was what happened at the very end. It was so simple and yet so beautiful and moving. I was holding a little girl in my arms and I began to look down at her little feet and little arms and hands. I was suddenly filled with sadness; these little arms would grow and the possibilities of all the hurt, harm and sin that this child would experience in her lifetime made my spirit sink. Was it possible that I was holding a little life in my arms that could even someday pass away into an eternity without God? I looked around at all the baby’s in the room. What about them? What about these women? All of a sudden the realization dawned on me and with clarity; do what Jesus did- lay hands on the children and bless them. It was simple but it went a long way. Tears streamed down the faces of the women as I prayed blessing over their individual child. It brought us together. I felt such closeness to these women. It was a wonderful moment of God’s love flowing and connecting us.

As we drove back home I reflected on the moment. I was pondering how love works. All it takes to reach out to someone (no matter who that someone is; prisoner, street child, gangster, relative or friend) is to love them. Just love. When I got down and spoke personally with each woman, prayed for them and their children one on one, and embraced them without holding back, I knew lives were being touched… all through the simple yet profound love of Christ.

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matt 25:39-40