Jesus Went to JAIL 🤯

"Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, 'Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.' Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest." Luke 22:52-55

Today I’ve got something interesting to tell you. OK, OK. I know you’re already familiar with the story. But today I’m going to BLOW YOUR MIND with a fresh perspective on how JESUS WENT TO JAIL. You can gain even more insight by watching my new video on the topic at pastoraj.com. And so now I’ll ask the question again: Did you ever stop to think that Jesus went to Jail? Well take a minute right now to let that sink in. Usually criminals go to jail. Murderers go to jail. And yet, Jesus went to jail. That’s right. We all know kind, forgiving, loving, “Footprints in the Sand” Jesus. But what about revolutionary, boundary-pushing, system-challenging, confrontational Jesus. This Jesus might be the more unpopular version. Certainly he’s the one we hear far less about. But this Jesus is the one that went to the cross. He’s the one who caused others to call for his death. He’s the one who enraged his enemies. He’s the one who fought, yes fought, constantly with local authorities who challenged his Truth. Yes, sweet Jesus was ALSO Jesus. But we can’t pick and choose who we want Jesus to be. He was and is one person. Sometimes, I think maybe we’ve made an idol out of one part of his personality. So let’s say it AGAIN. In fact, go ahead and speak it. JESUS WENT TO JAIL. What does this say to us about his mission and ours. Why did Jesus go to jail and yet so many of us are afraid to push contemporary boundaries? We’re afraid of what others will think, or do. We make ourselves slaves to false morals and our own happiness. But the early church got it right. They followed our Savior’s example all the way to the end. They suffered. They were arrested. They were persecuted. Why are we not in danger of “jail” today? Perhaps we’re not operating by the same principles that they and their Lord did. I’m not saying we should just go do something crazy. I’m saying we should be more like Jesus. The real Jesus. The complete Jesus. The one who was INCREDIBLY loving AND the one who went to jail. What I’m saying is that we shouldn’t be afraid to push some of our boundaries or culture’s for that matter if God is calling us to step out in faith and make a difference in the world around us. Other people don’t have to understand. God does and he’s proud of what you’ll do. THAT’S all that matters. So stop for a moment today, and ask yourself these things. Then, if God gives you an action step make sure you respond in faith!

Application:

Now that you’ve considered that Jesus went to jail in a new light, how do you think we can follow his example today?

What are some things in our world that need challenged with boldness as we follow the example of Jesus?

Watch my new video “Jesus Went to Jail” (pastoraj.com) and pray for a fresh vision of Jesus’ example and you can live that example in your world.