Mtr Kelli Joyce

Dear Friends in Christ,

Jesus’ sermon at the beginning of his ministry, when he declares that the Spirit has anointed him to proclaim “release to captives,” isn’t one of our readings today. But in our reading from Acts, we see one example of how the early Church experienced the power of God as involving literal release from literal imprisonment.

James, the brother of John, has been executed by the government. Herod wants to gain the favor of his people, so he has Peter arrested as well. In the night, an angel comes. Peter’s handcuffs fall off. His jail cell is opened, the officers guarding him don’t lift a finger to stop him as he walks away from death row, a free man. Peter thinks he’s dreaming, but it’s real. He returns to his community, who are overjoyed to the point of disbelief.

We worship the God who liberated Israel from slavery in Egypt, yet for century upon century, countless Christians not only accepted but supported and defended the enslavement of other human beings. And now, although we worship the God who breaks chains and incapacitates soldiers and opens jail doors wide, countless Christians continue not only to accept but to support and defend mass incarceration, which devastates families and communities. We continue to insist on the easy road of punishment rather than the difficult road of restoration, redemption, and reconciliation. We who have been given grace and had our wrongs wiped away by the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, too often, see no reason that others should have grace extended to them when they do wrong.

Herod had the legal right to arrest and imprison Peter. But God Almighty has authority greater than that of Herod or of any other earthly ruler or power. God has greater power than they have, and where they use their power to imprison and enslave, God uses power to heal and forgive, and to set free.

In peace,
Mtr Kelli