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Seeking the perspective of Jesus

Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains." Acts 26: 28-29 NASB

Historical accounts tell us that it took 2 years for Paul’s appeal and trial to be concluded. During that time he was under arrest and in chains most of the time. He was imprisoned in various places, from dark, damp dungeons to a rented apartment where he was under house arrest, while accompanied by a Roman guard. He was released a short while after his two years but was then imprisoned again when Nero began his persecution of the Christians. His final prison stay was in the worst of conditions and the old man Paul ached with pain from the cold and loneliness of his prison life. Even so, he could still exclaim, “Except for these chains I wish you had what I have!!” How can this be? How could a man who was treated so unfairly, abused, and hurt in every way say this? It was because he had discovered "freedom" such that even while his body was caged and chained, his soul was alight with the joy of the Lord. He had found the Treasure of the universe and there was nothing that could take it away from him. He had discovered a joy that was not influenced by circumstances and he had a life, though still in prison, that was valued more than all the earthly benefits and treasures that he had garnered before Jesus came into his life. So what can we learn from the perspective Jesus gave to Paul? Some of you are in your own prisons and chains right now, and I believe you need to know how to see it. It will really help.

There are many “prisons and chains” that Christians are living with today. Some are physical and some are metaphorical, but they are all real to those imprisoned. Some of our brothers and sisters are going through the same torture and confinement as Paul, for like him they are persecuted because they are identified with Jesus Christ. These saints are being tortured, beheaded, raped, murdered, ostracized, and discriminated against. They are literally placed in chains and in prisons because of their faith. In contrast, most Christians do not face this type of persecution in their life. But, metaphorically speaking, the majority of God’s children are still in some kind of prison, whether it be addictions, abuse, bad memories, fear, guilt, anger, or unforgiveness. Some are imprisoned by their circumstances, whether it is their poverty or their wealth, their lack of education or having too much education, their humiliation or their arrogant pride, but they are still living in a form of prison. Just look around you, and you will see depression, discouragement, discord, and disillusionment because many people are coming to conclude that life is overrated in their imprisoned state. They are in prison and do not know it. The chains are invisible, but the confinement in their spirit is as real as the darkness of night. Am I talking about those who are not identified with Christ? Not really. I mainly see discouraged believers who are chained in their metaphorical prison cells, even though the cell doors are flung wide open to allow them to leave. Maybe the following story will open some eyes to the problem and give us a perspective that Christ would want us to enjoy:

There was a young boy who was as mean as they come. This kid had all the earmarks that he would one day become a serial killer because of his cruelty. He especially enjoyed being cruel to animals. Now, this young man had devised a unique way of trapping birds alive. After several days of trapping, he had filled his cage with all manners of birds. There were songbirds, mockingbirds, sparrows, and finches. There was a plethora of birds stuffed in his cage, as some were dying and all were in some stage of shock. One day, this boy was walking down a road with his cage full of birds and an old man crossed his path. The old man asked the boy what he planned to do will all the birds. The boy responded that he planned to have a lot of fun with them. He was headed to a barn where he would close it up and then release the birds. While they flew around he would have target practice on the birds with his BB gun. With some of the birds, he said he planned to pour lighter fluid on them, light them with a match and watch them fly away while burning up. Oh, he had plenty of tricks up his sleeves. The old man was greatly grieved by such cruelty so he asked the young man if he would sell the caged birds to him. The boy asked him, “How much?” The old man said he would trade him the best thing that he owned for the birds. He would give the boy the treasured gold watch that he had been given at retirement. The boy agreed and the trade was made. The old man was then given the cage of birds, and the boy walked away. The old man took the cage of birds to a safe place in the woods and gently opened the door of the cage. The strongest birds flew out quickly to claim their freedom. Some of the other birds had to be gently convinced that it was safe to come out. Then, there were some who were in such shock that it was apparent that they had resolved to a life of living in their prison and there was no need to fight it. Some had found their freedom and others never claimed it. The price was paid for both, but not all accepted it. “What a shame,” the old man thought, “I paid the best thing I valued in order to redeem them, but they will not take the freedom that I am offering to them.” All he could do was allow the self-imprisoned birds to live and die in their cage, even though the door was flung wide open and he had paid for their freedom.

That would be quite a sight, wouldn’t you agree?...to see God’s beautiful creatures captured, caged, persecuted, then purchased and given freedom …but still choose to remain in their prison. That would be such a wasted life, wouldn’t it? Sure it would be! Everyone would agree that it would be no way to treat a bird and it is no way for a bird to live. But, what about God’s child? Can you see a relevant truth in this story about how Satan captured mankind and imprisoned us, and then God gave His greatest Treasure for our redemption and freedom? Can you see the freedom that you have been given by Him to live as a "freed" man? And yet, do we stay in our prisons because we are not willing to venture out in faith to claim it? Would that not be a terrible loss of the life that our King has paid for us? Would that not be a waste for you and me to not take the outstretched hand of our King who says to us, “I am here and I am willing to help you. Come and take My freedom that I am giving to you.”

As I read Paul’s response to King Agrippa I see in Paul a man whose body was in prison but his soul was flying like a freed bird. On the other hand, I see in Agrippa a man who lived as a King but was still a slave to sin and imprisoned by his circumstances. In Paul, we see that the freedom God will give us is one that cannot be given nor taken by the world. However, Agrippa never found his freedom, and he lost it all in the end. This is the big question I would like to ask you- “Have you flown the coop and are you enjoying the freedom that God has given to you or are you still living in a prison with the doors wide open for you?” Men, if you are still in your manmade prisons brought on by circumstances, fear, guilt, and shame, I have good news for you. The freedom that you are yearning for has already been bought and paid for - just for you. The prison doors are wide open for you. You do not have to stay earthbound any longer in your imprisoned state. Now, as a Man of God, claim this freedom that has been given to you and start flying with your King. Walk out of that prison and into the light that Jesus brings to you this day. Believe me, there are many more men out there who are longing to hear this good news, and the best way to tell them is for you and me to live a life that has broken free from our prison and chains.