Luke 4:18-19
Amplified Bible (AMP)
18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed
Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the
poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight
to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are
downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the
Lord [the day [a]when
salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound].
(Additional reference: Isaiah 61)
The message of this verse resonates throughout the entire Bible: Freedom & Liberty. After having celebrated Independence Day, I know that the only way we are truly free is through Jesus Christ. “What does it mean to be free?” some may ask, while others question, “What does it really feel like?” In my own words, freedom is simply resting in the finished work on the Cross.
The message of this verse resonates throughout the entire Bible: Freedom & Liberty. After having celebrated Independence Day, I know that the only way we are truly free is through Jesus Christ. “What does it mean to be free?” some may ask, while others question, “What does it really feel like?” In my own words, freedom is simply resting in the finished work on the Cross.
Many
have challenging situations or financial hardships in life, while others appear
to have it all together born with a “silver spoon” in their mouths. Some battle
domestic violence while others may have a home filled with love and nurturing.
No matter what the environment, we all have our crosses to bear and for some of
us it may be a little heavier than the next person, but we must remember that
to whom much is given, much is required (reference Luke 12:48).
One
of the most beautiful accounts of freedom I’ve heard about came from a passage
in the book Tortured for Christ
written by Richard Wurmbrand. His experiences of being tortured in prison
because of his faith in Jesus Christ epitomize the meaning of beauty for ashes. Although his body was beaten
and forced to endure all kinds of cruelty, his faith was strengthened. He
looked to the Lord where his help came from. Wurmbrand had to keep his mind on
the Lord even as others cursed and ridiculed him. The battlefield is in the
mind and we must keep our minds stayed on God, that’s the only way we are guaranteed
peace.
As
I continue my walk with the Lord, I pray that I recognize more opportunities to
share the love of Christ with others and to let them know that freedom is
available to us all, we just have to accept it by accepting Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior.
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and
believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
~Romans 10:9-10
