He Gave His Life For You

February 2019 – Grace & Truth Magazine

He Gave his Life For You

The Word of God tells about people in all sorts of settings, including prisons. There are stories of people in prison for doing right and for doing wrong. Others in the Bible were being held because another person was seeking revenge, either for something said or done. We can find in the Scriptures individuals in prison for the same types of reasons as exist today.

The Lord knows our situation and need, no matter what. His nearness to prisoners is seen in a judgment recorded in Matthew: “I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me” (25:43 NKJV). Psalm 69:33 says, “For the Lord hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners.”

The articles this month focus on just a few prisoners in the Bible, but lessons can be learned from others too, such as Samson (Jud. 16). While imprisoned, the prophet Jeremiah literally spent time in a hole (Jer. 38). Even a relative of the Lord Jesus, John the Baptist, was put in prison and, in time, beheaded (Lk. 1:36; Mk. 6:17,27). Barabbas, who was released when Jesus was condemned, was notorious (Mt. 27:15-26). Although he was physically saved, we do not know if he ever put his trust in the Lord Jesus. Thankfully, one of the criminals crucified with Jesus repented and was with Him in Paradise before the day’s end (Lk. 23:40-43).

Interestingly, in Acts we read how those witnessing Stephen’s murder laid their clothes by Saul (7:58). Then, Saul “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (8:3 NKJV). This “chief” of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), who by his own admission was “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man ... obtained mercy” (v.13). He was saved and put into the Lord’s service as a new man with a new name: the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-22, 13:9). Paul was imprisoned several times for his faith and was eventually martyred as a prisoner.

All who have accepted God’s offer of salvation and faithfully follow the Lord enjoy His presence, even in the most difficult places (Ps. 139:7-12). He loves you and gave His life for you (Gal. 2:20). Have you accepted His free gift, repenting of your sin and then serving Him? Do so today!

By Paul Alberts