If you were in a physical jail or prison, how would you serve your time?

The thought never crossed too many people's minds because they feel like if they don't violate the law of the lord, they have nothing to be worried about. Until one day it actually happens [to them].

Scenario: Sally or Don walking down the street, just enjoying a sunny day, when a cop drives up and says, "Sir or Ma'am, may I speak to you?" Immediately you are asked, "Where do you live?" You tell them. Then they say, "Did you know your next door neighbor, Sam?" The person says, "Yessir?" "Do you have any knowledge about the robbery and his killing?" "No sir."

Next you know, an informant gives your name and description that you were present at that home the particular night the incident happened. Now you are being interrogated and locked into the jail.

Another scenario: When the cops try to approach you on the street to question Sally or Don, they take off running in fear of the cops. Then they're chased by the cops. Finally, they catch up with you. Then they take you to jail or interrogate their alleged suspects. Then Sally or Don really appear to be guilty because they ran. Now they are booked in jail with no bail.

Next they go through the whole process of a trial and they're found guilty on all accounts. Now Sally or Don are on their way to prison.

Sally or Don could be innocent. They better not go into the system saying, "I am innocent!" Because staff and inmates not going to get no understanding. Everybody comes to prison did something to be here.

So what are you going to do? If you are guilty, what are you going to do?

Then your mate leaves you for your friend, their friend, or a complete stranger. No support there.
What are you going to do?

Your very own close friends prosecuting you. No support there.
What are you going to do?

Your own family abandons you when you come to jail. No support.
What are you going to do?

Money/store/commissionary: no support.

Then you're in a facility that doesn't pay their inmates.
What are you going to do?

You can't take classes and groups because you're not near your release date.
What are you going to do?

Bunkmate is attracted to you sexually and you're not gay. Because you're not interested, now they are bullying you.
What are you going to do?

The population of inmates in your dorm is always setting traps and bullying you in the dorm because they think it's something about you they don't like.
What are you going to do?

Staff always single you out as if you got to walk a straight line while everybody else is wilding out. But when it comes to you? Oh, you must not break one.
What are you going to do?

Parole board doesn't even want to hear your case. Just because your date is so far.
What are you going to do?

Religion: none. You don't have any.
What are you going to do?

Health: you find out your health is failing.
What are you going to do?

The courts have denied every motion you have put in to reduce your time.
What are you going to do?

Detail: you are giving the worst detail on the compound because nobody likes you.
What are you going to do?

So the next time anyone puts convicts down, think about what would you do if the tables were turned in the next second. What would you do? Can you handle the bittersweet drink?

I've walked through all of the above. For those who are eager to judge people and mistreat them because you want to be god in their lives: Jesus said (Matthew 25:31-46)
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the World. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these for others of mine, you did for me."

Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and and imprisoned, and you did not look after me."

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or needing clothes, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?"

He will reply, "I tell you the truth. Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Written by Jennifer Johnson