Passover in Prison

A great number of tragedies in my youth left me without family or home, yet a few number of blessings allowed me to know about Christ. The years before the tragedies hit, our family visited churches. We never stayed in one church very long because my father's work caused us to travel 3-6 times per year. Yet during these church visits as a young boy, I learned about Christ and Satan. I suppose this was just enough to prepare me for the upcoming tragic events in my life.

During my parents' divorce, I learned that I was adopted. The nature of their hate-filled departure to opposite sides of the humongous state of Texas left me alone and somewhere in the middle of that big state. I roamed the streets for years meeting, as it seemed, nothing but drug addicts and homeless people. As birds of a feather flock together, I flocked with the likes, yet alone in my heart.

As the years went by, I found myself visiting jails across the state, just as I once visited churches. Eventually sentenced to prison, over the span of 9 years, I was bussed back and forth across the state visiting a total of 14 prisons during my tenure, just as I had once traveled with my family visiting churches, I thought.

At the beginning of my sentence, I picked up a bible somewhere along the way, wanting to know more: What, Why, and How? I studied it vigorously every second I got, among, and even amidst, the fighting and chaos that was now my lot. After five long years of study, front to back and back to front, over and over again, I thoroughly learned that which would save my life and eventually lead me out of my hell.

I intimately learned of the Messiah who walked the earth rightly with compassion. I knew of no greater love whereby a man would die to save others, not in this time, not in the places I have been. For the first time in my life, I was accepted, as more than a friend, but as a family member of a spiritual presence that surrounded me daily. I cannot explain with words the peace and joy that was shared with me by the mere presence of the Holy Spirit. I finally found my place in this life and in the next. I would do my best to live as my newfound Master and share his pain and suffering, for he was now sharing mine, and walking me through this life of hell.

Along with this spiritual love and compassionate sharing of suffering, came the joy of keeping the Sabbath and the Holy days just as the Messiah ordained. My first Passover was observed in an 8'x10' cell with nothing but a bible, a cup of water, a piece of bread that I had saved, and the spirit of the Messiah. This was my Last Supper of which I would, with him, pass from death into life.

Judging by the hourly rounds of the prison guards, I estimated the time in which the sun went down commencing the begging of the Passover. I prayed, asking the Messiah to take this broken life of mine, atone for my sins before God, and allow me to walk with him in this life and hereafter. I stated that I had nothing to offer but my tears. As I wept, I asked him to bless the stale bread, then broke it. It symbolized the body of the Messiah that was beaten and battered because of my sin and the sins of the world. I ate it, mournfully. Then I took the cup of water, asked him to bless it. Neither wine nor grape juice, it was all I had, but it symbolized the blood of the Messiah that was shed because of my sins and the sins of the world. I drank it sealing the covenant between us. Afterwards, I sang one of the only hymns I knew by heart, one my mother taught me when I was a child: "Jesus Loves Me".

This ceremony marked a new life beginning for me. I continued to keep the Holy days and Sabbaths. I began teaching and instructing other prisoners and even guards. My next four years of prison became a path towards freedom and a sharing of love along the way with everyone placed in my path.

After my release in 2006, I have continued to keep the commands and ordinances of God. I have failed in a great many ways, but I have gotten back up and gotten back on track. God has kept the covenant with me that we made in that prison cell. He has rescued me from evil and blessed me with a new life. I no longer suffer as I once did, but I still suffer the effects of my sin and sin in the world. I continue to keep the Passover every year in remembrance of the Messiah, coming closer and closer to the day when I will join him in Heaven.

The Very First Passover: Exodus Ch. 12

Passover and Last Supper: Matthew Ch. 26:17-30, Mark Ch. 14:12-26, Luke Ch.22:7-29

The Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection of the Messiah: John Ch.17-20

The Lord's Supper: I Corinthians Ch.11:17