Freedom For The Captives
The Prophet Isaiah looked forward to a time when the Messiah would come, empowered by the Spirit, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
What is the year of the Lord’s favor (Isaiah 61:2)?
Grace!
Grace would flow from the lips of the Messiah.
What did the Prophet Isaiah say would be the impact when the proclamation of grace by the Messiah went out among the people?
One of the impacts of grace, among many others, was freedom for those held captive!
In Luke 4:16-19, the Messiah, Jesus, came into his hometown synagogue and read from Isaiah 61:1-2.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed.”
Upon hearing Jesus read from Isaiah, “the people were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips” (Luke 4:22). With words of grace flowing from his lips, Jesus came to set people free. He came to free people held captive by…
Sin…
Death...
Fear…
Shame…
Guilt…
Hopelessness...
Depression...
Discouragement...
Self-hatred…
Self condemnation…
The law...
And that is exactly what he did. By proclaiming grace, he announced freedom to people held captive. Those who responded in faith to his grace were freed.
The prostitutes were freed.
The tax collectors were freed.
The sinners were freed.
He comes to where you are today, announcing freedom by proclaiming grace to you. And what is his proclamation of grace that sets people free?
You are unconditionally loved by God.
You are fully forgiven by God.
There is hope and life ahead for you.
Receive his grace by faith in the Messiah...Jesus, who loved you and gave his life for the forgiveness of your sins, then rose mightily from the dead to give you life.
Through his grace, he will release you, restore you, rebuild you, and renew you.
Though his grace, he will give you life.
Through his grace, he will strengthen you.
Through his grace, joy will come.
Through his grace, provision will come.
Through his grace, he has and will bless you.
People will look at you and wonder what happened...how did this remarkable transformation take place?
There is hope in your heart.
There is light in your eyes.
There is a smile on your face.
It’s all because you heard and received the proclamation of grace by the Messiah...the gracious words flowing from his lips of God's love, forgiveness, hope, and life!
What the Prophet Isaiah looked forward to, you have experienced.
What Jesus announced, you have experienced.
The good news of grace and freedom has been proclaimed to you in your captivity.
Your prison doors have opened widely and quickly.
You are now walking out of your captivity...out of your darkness and into the marvelous light of his grace.
