8th June 2022
Freedom is a precious thing!
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:36 (NIV)
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 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 out—rescued her and gathered her to themselves: to safety and peace.
Thinking of that rescue, do we 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 our rescue; pain was endured to bring it 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. Did the man who built his house upon the rock 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 77th 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 people in striped uniforms were also 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 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). Freedom is indeed a precious thing!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for deliverance out of darkness into your amazing light. Amen.
Study by Cliff Neill
About the writer:
Cliff Neill is a Minister in the Hemel Hempstead congregation of Grace Communion International, where he is on the leadership team.
Local congregation:
GCI Hemel Hempstead
Adeyfield Free Church Centre
Maylands Avenue
Hemel Hempstead HP2 4GZ
Meeting time:
Sunday 10:30am
The Hemel Hempstead service is also on Zoom, please email the congregational contact below for the link
Local congregational contact:
Shirley McLean
Email: hemel@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church