As humans trapped in a sinful world, we are prisoners of war. When someone is a prisoner of war, they can be traded to go back to their side of the war in exchange for another captive. That’s what Jesus did for us. But it’s a bit different.

Imagine you are a scarred and battle-worn soldier. You are stuck among the enemy with no way out, no communication, no comfortable sleeping quarters, and the awful treatment goes on and on. Some people, like your family or squadron, might not even know you are captured. To them you may just be MIA, (missing in action). Maybe you are even dead. They try not to imagine the possibilities of you being a POW, (prisoner of war), unable to escape your enemies. You think, “Surely I will die in this rotting cell. No one will remember me, the scrawny soldier who people barely knew.

After weeks of feeling hopeless, alone, and forgotten, you are pulled from the cell by a grim-faced guard. “What’s going on? Where am I going?” You ask dozens of questions, but you only get one gruff answer. “You’re being exchanged.”

Then you see Him. He’s being dragged by two soldiers, a beaten man, who, although you’ve never seen Him in your life, you strangely know Him. He traded Himself for you. Even though it doesn’t make any sense, you just know. Even with no hope of getting Himself out, He did it for you.

Now, fast forward to modern day. Our jailers? They are electronics, social media, school, people, and most of all, expectations. They hold you captive, and you don’t know how to escape safely. The war? It’s the war between Christ and sin. They fight and it looks as if there is no hope.

But there is. With Jesus. He sacrificed Himself for you. When you accept that sacrifice, you can show others that great gift to unlock their cell. If your friends, family, and anybody else, (yes, even those who might’ve imprisoned you,) are captives, set them free with the Gospel. After choosing God and His love, you will never be a prisoner of war again. Instead, you are a prisoner for the Lord.

Paul wrote, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV). When we join the call of grace and love, we become prisoners for the Lord, knowing that we will join Him freely for eternity. Psalm 146:7 ESV says, “[The Lord] who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free;”

The hope and truth that the Gospel is freeing. God’s love is the ultimate key to our cells, and He’s holding it out to you. The question is, will you take it?

~Willow

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