Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
John 8:31-34 (NKJV)
In the above passage of Scripture, Jesus is addressing the matter of freedom. However, some of His listeners misunderstood the meaning of what He was saying. Jesus further explained that one can be born free from physical slavery but can still become a slave to sin. Therefore the freedom Jesus offers is spiritual freedom from sin and not just physical freedom from chains and bars.
Seventeen years ago, I spent 3 days and 2 nights in the police lock-up. It was a traumatic experience, to say the least, especially since I had not done the crime I was being held for. I looked at the bars and thought to myself that I never thought the day would come when I would be inside these bars.
After 3 days I was set free! Praise God! Remarkably and ironically though, I was set free by Jesus six (6) days before I was taken behind bars. The Sunday before I had given my life to the Lord and experienced liberty that only the Truth of Christ could have given. I went behind bars a free man, a man free from sin and its consequences, free from the chains of depression, and free from eternal damnation. Though I was wrongfully stuck behind physical bars, my soul was free and I was at peace. I was not scared, neither worried nor fazed. As a six-day-old believer, I knew my God would rescue me. I believed.
This is what Jesus does, rescues us from all crises in our lives and sets us free to live a life that fulfills our potential and purpose. Without Jesus, I would have panicked behind those bars. I would have lost hope (as I did not know how long I was going to be there), despite knowing I wasn’t guilty of anything.
Jesus made the difference, and He can make the difference for you too. Your crises do not have to destroy you, but rather even in the midst of your crises you can seek Christ and He will save you.
Read: John 8:31-36; Galatians 5:1; Psalm 146:7
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 15:21-30; Acts 16:16-40; I Kings 14:21-31; I Kings 15; I Kings 16:1-7
