They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
-Acts 5: 18-21

Busted out of jail; freedom. That must have been exhilerating--an otherworldy being showing up and letting them out, only to send them right back into the fray; back to the very backyard of their captors, likely to be caught again...caught delivering the news that would change everything.

That angel could have sent them anywhere. That angel could have said "Hey guys, you look awful. Since you suffered so much for Jesus, how about I just send you all to the Bahamas for a week?" But that angel didn't. No, that angel sent them directly back into harm's way. Why?

Simple; because there was work to be done...the full message needed to be heard. Even then, the world was big and time was short.

We, ourselves, have been set free from the prisons and jails that we have condemned ourselves to. This is amazing, true. Yet, many among us, mistakingly assume that from the point of liberation, we are somehow better than those still in prison. Many feel that they can saunter off, into the newly discovered realm of grace without heed or rememberance of the responsibilities that come with such an overwhelming transformation.

Look, yes we are free; yes, we are a new creation. but, no, we are not better than anyone else. This is why people dislike and mistrust us...because we act like we are better than others. Perhaps you disagree. Fine. But consider this:

Many of us are not giving the full message. No, we are giving a partial message. We are delivering a message that leaves out a vital component: forgiveness and salvation for all who believe...not just for the wealthy; not just for people who play golf; not just for Americans; not just for the well behaved, well groomed and mild mannered.

Many times, God wants us to return to dangerous ground in order to deliver the full message. For it was the full message that caused us to take pause. It was the full message that was burned in our minds and written on our hearts. It was the full message that we accepted. And who better to deliver that message than someone who knows the lay of the land.

Yes, at the time, the apostles were directed to return to the temple courts because that is where the message was needed most. Where is your message needed most? Find out and deliver the full message.