Freedom for the Oppressed
Luke 4:18,19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (NRSV)
There can be times in life where we feel a load, a burden, a pressure that maybe you can’t quite put into words. Certainly, you wouldn’t use the word oppression … it’s too strong. But that’s exactly what it could be. Oppression.
Oppression is a terrible thing. Even in this day and age, there are tens of millions of people living under the yolk of slavery in this world. Women and children around the world are oppressed, even right here at home, next door, across the street. Slavery, whether you like it or not, is a reality!
But oppression doesn’t just happen out there to other people. It can happen to you and me anytime. We’re oppressed by all sorts of things – by other people at work or at home, by economic deprivation, not having enough to live on, by circumstances that seem to press in on us and yes, even by the devil. Especially by him.
You know that feeling of being crushed by your circumstances, when you’re being attacked from every direction? That’s oppression, in one form or another.
One of the reasons Jesus came to this earth, He tells us, is to let the oppressed go free.
Luke 4:18,19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (NRSV)
Freedom is a big thing. And when Jesus sets you free, only then can you truly be free. No matter what it is that’s pushing you down, holding you back … Jesus came to let the oppressed go free. That’s you. That’s a promise that you can count on.
And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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