Jesus the Prisoner

A divine solidarity of which most do not know and cannot understand.

Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those who are being tortured as though you yourselves were being tortured.

Our repeated passage today sets Jesus as an incarcerated individual. Let’s settle there for a bit today. The continued hope of Jesus Daily is to know who Christ was and is, not simply in general terms (loving, just, etc.), but in specific terms that we can tease out in our own lives.

Jesus sat in solidarity as a prisoner. It wasn’t for very long. But he was imprisoned.

Scripture has many instances that call God’s people to care for those in prison (like the one from Hebrews above). Many of God’s great people in scripture were incarcerated, from Joseph to Daniel to Jeremiah to Paul, and of course, Jesus.

Most Christians—at least those who have platforms—do not know the experience of prison. Indeed, many Christians would be quick to point out their belief that those people listed above were “actually innocent.” But scripture makes no distinction.

Ever.

Scripture does not call God’s people to care and concern for the incarcerated based upon a differentiation between “innocent” and “guilty.” The woman we read about weeks ago in John 8 - she was clearly guilty. But remember how Jesus handled her situation…and also how he didn’t.

There are some 11-12 million people incarcerated in the world today. As far as we know. Jesus has directly told us to do something about/for/with them.

John 19:12-16

From that moment on, Pilate wanted to release Jesus.

However, the Jewish leaders cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t a friend of the emperor! Anyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes the emperor!”

When Pilate heard these words, he led Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench at the place called Stone Pavement (in Aramaic, Gabbatha). It was about noon on the Preparation Day for the Passover. Pilate said to the Jewish leaders, “Here’s your king.”

The Jewish leaders cried out, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

Pilate responded, “What? Do you want me to crucify your king?”

“We have no king except the emperor,” the chief priests answered. Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.

The soldiers took Jesus prisoner.

Psalm 79:11

Let the groans of the prisoners reach you.
With your powerful arm, save those who are sentenced to death.

Prayer

God,

You were bound and handed over. You stood in the place where many stand now—confined, silenced, judged. I want to remember them now, not as statistics, but as people made in your image, with stories, fears, and names.

Forgive me for the ways I ignore them. Forgive us for pretending guilt cancels grace. Help us see what you see, and act with the compassion you command. Teach us to remember them—not from a distance, but as if we were there with them.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.