Jesus changes lives.
A mix of fear and sweat rolled down my back as I step through the gates. We have little protection, few guards, but Jesus is with us. I grasp my bible and look around the courtyard at the prisoners, some seem to be staring maybe a bit too intently at us mzungu girls. You can basically smell the nervousness radiating off of me, off of all of us. Molly and I glance at each other as a man continues to shout “mami” at us. It is quite intimidating.
Finally we make our way through the open courtyard and into the chapel, which is solely a tin roof. We are then led to sit in the few chairs they have set out for us. Soon, the men begin coming in, slowly at first, and then like a rushing wave. The next thing I know there are more than a hundred of them, all sitting on the ground, eagerly awaiting the messages Tara and I have prepared or haven’t prepared. Sitting there looking back at them, I am still debating if I want to share the story of Zacchaeus or Jesus calming the storm. Holy Spirit, I need you, speak through me.
I am nervous, these men are intimidating, and I still do not know what I am going to share with them. My mind is starting to get the best of me and I am starting to second guess myself, second guess this trip, second guess everything. But then something miraculous happens. The men stand up and begin to sing. These prisoners start worshiping the Lord and it is beautiful. Words cannot describe the melodic sound that fills the small chapel and reaches out to the entire courtyard. It is unlike anything I have heard before. My ears are more joyful than they ever have been at the sweet, rich music. As their voices raise in praises to God, my heart raises in hope. God is here. He is alive. He is just. He is righteous. He is forgiving. Shalom, peace that transcends all understanding, washes over me as I stand in awe of these men of God and as the presence of God thrives in this place.
I am no longer nervous or intimidated as the angelic voices sadly begin to fade and now I know I am going to tell the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector. They sit down and I rise to share this testimony I have grown to love. It is about a short, evil man who steals people’s money and ends up getting noticed by Jesus. Jesus calls him by name, though they have never met, and tells Zacchaeus he is going to have dinner at his house. After dinner, after Zacchaeus spends quality time with Jesus, his whole life is altered. He goes from a stealer to a giver and his heart flips after merely being in the prescence of Jesus.
Jesus changes lives.
As I tell this simple,yet influencial tale, I can tell the men’s ears are wide open. I sense the eagerness they have for God’s word and the beautiful messages that lie within. They are listening to my words. They are hearing the Holy Spirit. I smile as they cheer when I explain that Jesus knows every single one of their names, just as he knew Zacchaeus’, just as he knows mine, just as he knows yours. For Jesus is a friend of sinners. The story of Zacchaues ends with Jesus proclaiming, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those we are lost.”
For these men were once lost, but are now found in Jesus Christ. They are prisoners of this world, but free in spirit. In them, I see how God’s amazing light penetrates darkness. In them, I have witnessed how the Lord is alive and is changing lives. His power is great and his mercy endures forever.
Jesus has changed my life and is continuing to change it everyday and he certainly has the power to change yours. He is calling you by name, let him in.
