Which is the greatest prison?
I received word the day before yesterday that my friends Zach and Rick had been releaesed from prison in Malaysia after their hearing--and not only that, they have no problems with their passports and are able to continue to stay in Malaysia. Praise God!! I am amazed by this. The best anyone was expecting was that they would be released but kicked out of the country, but God can exceed our greatest expectations.
I also got this report from a friend in Bethlehem, about the situation there and the desperation people feel:
"This is not a “separation fence” – it’s a solid concrete, 27’ high wall. And it appears as though there will be a gate keeping people in. Already they’re not allowed into Jerusalem – or into most any other city (they’re basically not allowed OUT of Bethlehem)....People aren’t allowed to leave for medical care, to visit sick or dying loved ones, to go to school, to go
anywhere. This is a prison...
"M. said she came home last night through the checkpoint and when she got down by this new section of wall there were 2 young men whom she thought had been turned away at the checkpoint (she’s probably right). She said the one young man walked up to the wall and started beating on it with his fists until they were bleeding and his friend grabbed him and took him away. They’re treated so badly and have exactly zero recourse – and it gets worse daily."
Hearing this story makes my heart break. The injustice of the situation--punishing the guilty and the innocent alike--is a stench before the Lord. And yet, when I think of this "prison," as well as the literal prison that my two friends were in unjustly, I am reminded that there is a greater prison according to the Word of God. The prison of our sin, the slavery to our own selfish desires, is far more terrifying and far more dangerous than any earthly prison could be. I rejoiced to think that my friends in Malaysia, though they were in prison, were far freer than the jailers and officials around them. "If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed." True freedom does not come through favorable hearings or political settlements. True freedom is not granted after a few years "for good behavior." True freedom comes only at the cost of the Blood of the Lamb. The only one who was truly free became a slave, obedient even to death, so that in Him we might gain true freedom. And so, in response, we may gladly call ourselves His slaves, knowing that whatever we give up for Him will be returned to us a thousand-fold. (I have an e-mail address that means "slave of Christ" in Arabic--sometimes I don't take that nearly seriously enough.)
So my prayer is for the prisoners in Malaysia, in Palestine, Israel and everywhere else--that the Messiah would come in their hearts and "proclaim freedom for the captives" (Is. 61:1, Luke 4:18). May these captives claim the promise of God given to those who trust in His redemption, His "yeshu'a", provided to us in the child born in Bethlehem.
For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
-- Isaiah 9:4-7
God bless you all, and may you walk in the freedom given you in Christ, no matter what earthly prison you may find yourself in.
Seth
I also got this report from a friend in Bethlehem, about the situation there and the desperation people feel:
"This is not a “separation fence” – it’s a solid concrete, 27’ high wall. And it appears as though there will be a gate keeping people in. Already they’re not allowed into Jerusalem – or into most any other city (they’re basically not allowed OUT of Bethlehem)....People aren’t allowed to leave for medical care, to visit sick or dying loved ones, to go to school, to go
anywhere. This is a prison...
"M. said she came home last night through the checkpoint and when she got down by this new section of wall there were 2 young men whom she thought had been turned away at the checkpoint (she’s probably right). She said the one young man walked up to the wall and started beating on it with his fists until they were bleeding and his friend grabbed him and took him away. They’re treated so badly and have exactly zero recourse – and it gets worse daily."
Hearing this story makes my heart break. The injustice of the situation--punishing the guilty and the innocent alike--is a stench before the Lord. And yet, when I think of this "prison," as well as the literal prison that my two friends were in unjustly, I am reminded that there is a greater prison according to the Word of God. The prison of our sin, the slavery to our own selfish desires, is far more terrifying and far more dangerous than any earthly prison could be. I rejoiced to think that my friends in Malaysia, though they were in prison, were far freer than the jailers and officials around them. "If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed." True freedom does not come through favorable hearings or political settlements. True freedom is not granted after a few years "for good behavior." True freedom comes only at the cost of the Blood of the Lamb. The only one who was truly free became a slave, obedient even to death, so that in Him we might gain true freedom. And so, in response, we may gladly call ourselves His slaves, knowing that whatever we give up for Him will be returned to us a thousand-fold. (I have an e-mail address that means "slave of Christ" in Arabic--sometimes I don't take that nearly seriously enough.)
So my prayer is for the prisoners in Malaysia, in Palestine, Israel and everywhere else--that the Messiah would come in their hearts and "proclaim freedom for the captives" (Is. 61:1, Luke 4:18). May these captives claim the promise of God given to those who trust in His redemption, His "yeshu'a", provided to us in the child born in Bethlehem.
For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
-- Isaiah 9:4-7
God bless you all, and may you walk in the freedom given you in Christ, no matter what earthly prison you may find yourself in.
Seth
posted by Seth | 8:41 AM
2 Comments:
This is very good news, a real blessing. It's a blessing, too, to have missionaries brave enough to go on preaching and baptizing in the face of risks. It's unfortunate that preaching the Gospel has to be risky that way.
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