I have been a Prison Chaplain for just over a year now and I still love what I do every single day. Yes, it is unpredictable. Yes, there are lots of processes to navigate. Yes, my day rarely goes to plan. But most importantly, it is where I believe God wants me to be for such a time as this.

I work in a Maximum Security Men’s Prison and my job as Chaplain is to be available to meet with the residents (I resist calling them prisoners as much as possible) to listen, advise and work with their agenda on spiritual matters.

This Good Friday morning I volunteered to run chapel services with some of the men and it is such a humbling privilege. You see, here I am speaking with them about what it might mean to have someone take on the punishment I deserve and paying the price so I can be free. These guys understand the meaning of this gift more fully than most.

Often, when I speak of this concept the conversation quickly moves to whether or not the sacrifice of Jesus covers even what they have done. I love it when I can tell them that His sacrifice is enough, once and for all. FOR ALL! I then let them know it is completely up to them whether or not they receive and use this gift.

Usually I illustrate this concept by saying it’s like someone who knows my love of good coffee has presented me with a nicely wrapped box and tells me it’s a new, you beaut, coffee machine.

If I gracefully receive this box and sit it on my kitchen bench, all neatly wrapped have I actually received the gift? If I take it out of the box and plug it in and study the manual until I know it back the front, but yet don’t use it have I fully received the gift?

The answer is no. Until I actually turn it on and start to use it as it was intended I may know of and about the gift, but haven’t appreciated what it can do for me. I tell them it’s the same with Jesus. We can know what He has done and even know the ‘manual’ but until we accept his sacrifice as sufficient to cover our sins and accept Him into our lives we are missing this gift.

My guys love this point and see the parallel really clearly. In our discussion this Good Friday our conversation went one step further. We were focusing on Jesus paying the price for us and I tried to come up with an example they could relate to. Where we landed was so much more profound for them, and for me.

The God-inspired example was about being kidnapped. I said, “Okay, so what if Isaac (not his real name) was kidnapped by a rival gang and was being held hostage. Let’s say they get a message to Isaac’s crew asking for $1million for his return.” (Isaac was pretty chuffed to be being used as an example, but also to think he was worth that much!)

“Now let’s say,” I continued, “that they come up with the cash and arrange the drop off and Isaac is now free to go. What do we call that payment?” All agreed it was called a ransom.

“So what would it mean if, knowing that his ransom had been paid and Isaac was now free to go, he decides to stay right where he is, in that place of captivity rather than embracing his freedom?” I can’t repeat what some of the comments were … but I’m sure you could guess!

Then I was able to highlight that this is exactly what Jesus has done. His death paid our ransom, and we had the choice whether we accept that freedom or we choose to remain captive to our sinful lives and choices.

In the gospel of Mark chapter 10 and verse 45 we read Jesus’ own words, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Emphasis added)

One by one my guys realised that they had been making the choice to remain in captivity and each of them wanted to embrace what spiritual freedom means for them, despite not being physically able to be free. I was so moved, and grateful to be able to be a part of that God moment.

The sad fact is that there are plenty of non-prisoners who choose to live in captivity rather than the freedom that Jesus’ sacrifice offers. He has paid the ransom. In full. End of story.

I pray that your Easter season this year reminds you to embrace and celebrate that freedom.

Be blessed.