Jesus, the Liberator
Scripture Reading — Luke 4:14-22
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.
Ann, a dear supporter of our ministry, worked as a nurse in a mental health hospital in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during World War II. She shared with me that as the war drew to an end, their hospital had to be evacuated to save the patients from extermination. In very dangerous conditions they finally escaped to safety.
Ann, who now lives in Canada, told me that recently she saw a WWII veteran in a wheelchair. She approached him and said, “Thank you so much for your sacrifice! If not for men like you, we wouldn’t be free.”
The Bible presents Jesus as our Liberator. Did you know that the name Jesus means “Savior, Deliverer”?
In our verses for today, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61, which looks back to the Year of Jubilee (which called for slaves to be freed and debts to be canceled in every 50th year). Jubilee pointed ahead to the Messiah, Christ, the Savior. And then, to the surprise of his audience, Jesus applies those words to himself!
He came into this world to rescue us from the tyranny of sin. His teaching is the proclamation of our Year of Jubilee.
Do you appreciate what Jesus has done to free you from sin and death? Are you truly thankful to your divine Liberator? Do you want to be free? If so, put your trust in him!
Father, thank you for sending Jesus to deliver us from the slavery and curse of sin. We praise you for the freedom we have in your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Sergei Sosedkin
Sergei Sosedkin is the Russian-language ministry leader for ReFrame Ministries. He is a native of Moscow, Russia. As he oversees the Russian-language ministry, Sosedkin works from our office in Grand Rapids and in various locations in Russia.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!