Freedom is a Precious thing!
“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free!”
John 8:36 (NLT)
On the 1st of April 2003, Private Jessica Lynch was rescued from a hospital in Iraq by a Special Forces team, she and eleven other soldiers had been taken prisoner; but sadly she was the only survivor! Perhaps if we try we might just plumb the depths of her joy as she was plucked from that prison after nine days, and also her sense of pride for her nation who wouldn’t let go, who didn’t forget her in the heat of battle but sought her our—rescued her and gathered her to themselves; to safety and peace.
And as we do that, do we also see ourselves as people who have also been delivered from bondage; who now have peace and rest and are headed for home? Blood was shed to accomplish that, pain was endured to bring that about; the King of Glory himself never forgot us but sought us out and has drawn us to himself.
What an amazing feeling to be free, liberated, transferred from darkness to light; at peace, like the man who built his house upon the rock—did he feel worried and anxious whenever he saw the storm clouds gathering? Did he feel afraid when the lightning flashed and the rain poured down? No way! He was safely anchored upon the rock and safe (Matthew 7:24-25). Notice how Paul addresses this condition; “We pray that you may be strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, to endure everything and be patient and joyful, giving thanks to the Father, who has made us ready to take possession of our portion with the people of God in light. He has freed us from the power of darkness and carried us away into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have our deliverance, that is, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:11-14 Williams).
This year is the 70th Anniversary of the liberation of many people from the Auschwitz concentration camp on the 27th of January 1945. Finally after years of suffering they were free, the gates had been flung wide! These weary and abused scarecrow people in striped uniforms had also been plucked from darkness into light. Experiencing tender loving care from their liberators, men who wept at their plight and comforted them, what a day that must have been, a time of joy, laughter, tears and probably disbelief that these things were really true.
Freedom is still available today from the One who declared that this was the reason he came—“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has appointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim deliverance to the prisoners, and return of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those that are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:18-19 Williams). Freedom is indeed a precious thing!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for deliverance out of darkness into your amazing light.
Amen
Study by Cliff Neill
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About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.
Local Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON
LU1 5JE
Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am
Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone: 01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk