Easter Reflections: Unveiling God's Grace Through Prison Chaplaincy

As a Prison Chaplain, believe it or not, we spend much of our time talking with Criminals!

I often think of the Gerry Rafferty words “Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, Here I am stuck in the middle with you “- Sung by Steelers Wheel.

This Easter, the time Jesus spends talking with two robbers on a cross is significant to Prison Chaplains but also to the wider world.

He is mocked by both criminals on either side, yet one receives Salvation the other did not.  Crucifixion is designed to drain the life and energy from you, what little life they have left they use to mock and berate him. “Save yourself, if you are the Son of God, come down from the cross”!  This mockery and self-gratification is something we see today among the prison population. Whether it is directed at Jesus himself, those of faith, or anyone but “myself”.

But something changes - one of them recognises his own guilt. “We are justly punished… this man has done nothing wrong”.  In that moment of self-reflection, something clicks. John’s Gospel tells us Jesus dies first- I wonder how that felt looking on.

Notice that the repentant thief has no time for repayment of what he has stolen, isn’t baptised, and hasn’t developed a sophisticated Theology or knowledge - all he could do was look to the Saviour with faith and ask for mercy. And that’s all he needed.

No sin is too big, or too late to be forgiven. 

“Today,” Jesus says you will be with me in paradise.

I am always struck by the fact that we as Christians call this man the “Thief on the Cross”.  His defining characteristic is his crime…  He is not recalled for his salvation, repentance, or faith. Today in 2024 many men and women will be released from custody – what will we call them?

Someday the gates will open, and once more I'll be free.

A fact that makes me wonder, "What will become of me?"

Have I a future awaiting me, Such as the past I've known?

Will I be accepted by others, or forced to walk alone?

What is there awaiting me, When I go out of that gate?

Is there yet a chance for me, or is it now too late?

There is hope for us all - in that moment of recognition of who Jesus is - there we find the Grace of God.

Maybe we are the clowns and Jokers and Jesus is stuck in the middle with us!

Luis Verduzco. "Thoughts Of A Convict." Family Friend Poems, October 13, 2009. www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/thoughts-of-a-convict