There are many examples in the scriptures of people being set free of abuse, loneliness, sickness, depression, and isolation. In truth, the list could go on forever. Some of my favorite stories of freedom are the woman at the well (John 4) and the woman caught in adultery (John 7). Another of my all-time favorites is the story found in Acts 16.
Paul and Silas in Prison
One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.” A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Whom the Son sets free…
Freedom for the girl – loss of freedom for Paul and Silas.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:25-30 NLT)
Whom the Son sets free…
The jailer was free – then for a few moments, he lost his freedom – only to have it handed back to him.
I would be letting myself down if I didn’t share one of the most powerful freedom speeches in Scripture (at least to me), especially since we are only a few weeks from the beginning of Lent.
In a matter of hours, Jesus has gone from the freedom of walking with His disciples, after sharing His last Passover meal, towards the mount of olives to being beaten, betrayed, and finally standing before Pilate (John 19).
When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. (John 19:8-11a NLT)
Jesus willingly gave up His freedom and went to the cross so that we, you and I, would never have to give up ours. Jesus, with 4 nails, a wooden cross, and a crown of thorns, set our freedom from sin forever more.
Whom the Son sets free…
So, my friends, what are you in need of right now? Where has “life” pushed you into believing you will never be free?
Financial struggles? Family dysfunction? Job hassles? Church disappointment?
All of these, and other situations, are outside struggles. To get to your true freedom look to the one place Jesus dwells inside of you – your heart and soul. Pull the light from them and feel the freedom that Jesus placed there way before you were born.
Remember –
Whom the Son sets free…
Is Free Indeed.
Love to all
RevDeb