By Larry W. King
Volume III, Number VII
April 26, 2010
Get Out Of Jail Free!
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor ...” – Isaiah 61:1-2a (RSV)
Most of us at one time or another has played the game of Monopoly. As a youngster, I was something of a Monopoly fiend – cunningly buying, selling and trading real estate, collecting rent and building houses or hotels. I played often, enjoying every minute spent moving around the board of simulated Atlantic City, New Jersey streets. In fact, my friends and I created our own wild brand of “Double Monopoly”, using two boards in the shape of a figure-eight - joined together at free parking. We adopted our own rules – allowing travel in all four directions, doubling the initial allotment of $1,500 cash, making free parking a lottery winner space, etc. - generally turning an already lengthy game into an all-day, all-night, greed-fueled marathon. As I am currently in the process of selling my home, I’ve lately pondered about just how many real estate agents got their start playing Monopoly …
Of course, anybody who’s ever played the game knows that at one point or another everybody goes to jail. You went there by landing on the ‘go to jail’ space on the board, by rolling doubles three consecutive times or by drawing the chance/community chest card which read, “Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do NOT pass go. Do NOT collect $200.” Anytime you went to jail it was always handy to have a “Get Out Of Jail Free” card. That card saved you from losing up to three turns and having to pay $50 to bail yourself out.
OK, I’m sure some of you are asking yourselves, Larry, what on earth does any of this have to do with the text? Well, as many of you know, for the past several months, I have been deeply involved in Prison Ministry. Prison Ministry typically consists of teams of Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) approved, trained and certified volunteers going into various correctional facilities throughout the state, sharing the good news of Christ through worship services with the prisoners. These services include music, prayer, scripture reading, an exhortation and a sermon.
Unlike the prophet Isaiah in our text, there is phenomenal irony centered on me doing Prison Ministry. Irony, you ask? Because my lifelong plan was to stay as far away from jails or prisons as humanly possible. Ironic, because there were times in my life when I simply knew that the only way I’d be going into prison would be in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. Yet, now I go there each week willingly, eagerly and happily – anticipating great things through the power of the Holy Spirit. We worship with offenders who anticipate the day when they are freed. I, on the other hand, gratefully look forward to every day or night of voluntarily getting into jail free! Say what?!?!
Doubtless, Prison Ministry has been a fundamental and transformational blessing in my life. It has enhanced my faith, provided a new avenue for service in God’s Kingdom, and multiplied my zeal for Christ and love for all his people – even in their most trying circumstances. I have grown from initially bringing music only, to offering all aspects of the worship service - including preaching (yes, preaching) – which wasn’t just off the radar, it was not even in my universe! And, praise God, my spiritual evolution is far from complete.
Aside from the obvious misconception I had about just taking music into prison, Prison Ministry soon relieved me of another thought distortion. I believed I was there to bless the offenders, when in fact they bless me. What do I mean? Hear well the words of James: “But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)” – James 1:25 (AMP). Preparing to enter prison every week compels me to read and study the Bible more carefully, prayerfully and thoughtfully because, the consequences of this ministry can be life-changing and eternal. Indeed, many of the offenders truly know the Word. Make no mistake, in prison God Almighty can get your undivided attention!
Moreover, it is inspiring and wholly affirming when inmates are set free. The pitiable fact is that 80% - four out of five – Colorado parolees will return to prison in less than 3 years, unlessthey are connected to a faith-based program. My steadfast prayer and constant motivation is that what we are privileged to do via Prison Ministry will both encourage these men and women while they’re there, and (in some small way) inspire them to find a church home and build new, productive and faithful lives when released. I cannot fathom a greater honor or reward. God is AWESOME!
Finally, all of us have our own private prisons – mental and spiritual – from which we need deliverance. Sin is a prison. No matter what the sin is – substance addiction, excessive anger, lust or sexual perversity, abuse, greed, pride, etc. – anything and everything which separates us from the love of God imprisons us. Our sinful behavior builds walls between us and God, and also separates us from each other. But God wants to set us free. When we repent of our sins and turn to the Lord, His love and mercy drops the charges. He forgives us and grants us – not a reprieve, not a suspended sentence, not a commutation, not time off for good behavior, and not even parole but – a full and complete pardon. Hear well Jesus’ own words: “… I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” – John 8:34b-36 (NIV).
God, in His infinite mercy, simply wants to slam His wrecking ball of liberation through our prison walls. He wants to break every chain that binds us and destroy every guilty shackle and fetter which holds us down. The Creator loves His creation so much that He wants us free to love, adore, worship and serve Him. He wants us to sing, dance and praise Him in overflowing love and unspeakable joy. His very nature is to totally emancipate us through the powerful, free gift of the Holy Spirit. When it comes to all His precious children, God wants us to get out of jail free!
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Larry W. King is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and heads the Denver-based music group, Kingdom Kru. He’s a founding Board member of Faith Community Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. Douglas and Rev. Katherine Farley, and is active in Prison Ministry.
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