Freedom & LifeSample

“... freedom for the brokenhearted ...”

The ultimate concept associated with Jubilee was that of forgiveness and restoration. The Jewish people had their debts forgiven and lands restored to the condition that God had given them on first entering the land. Our text scripture today gives us a beautiful preview of what Jesus was going to accomplish. He came to usher in the year of Jubilee, not only offering forgiveness for sin and also restoring to us everything which the Father had planned. Jesus came to bring good news to the poor, release the captive and those blind to sin, and to set the oppressed free.

He went on to describe the poor a few chapters later in the Sermon on the Mount when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for yours is the kingdom of God.” He showed that this Scripture went far beyond financial poverty or what we often think of as "poor." The poor went to the heart, the spirit, those downcast and brokenhearted.

Jesus came to proclaim that captives will be set free. His listeners didn’t need to wait long to see examples of the release of those held prisoner to sin. The day He read this Scripture, He went to another community and delivered many from evil spirits and sickness. He hung out with those that fit these descriptions and delivered them one by one as they came to Him.

Jesus, the friend of sinners, puzzled the religious leaders of the day. They oppressed the people with their laws and procedures. There were rituals for everything and judgments handed down for even the smallest infractions. Shame and guilt were piled high by those in authority.

However, Jesus brought freedom. You might even say He carried a banner of liberty and freedom wherever He went. This banner of freedom included within it deliverance and forgiveness.

All of us fit one or more of the descriptions in our text today. Jesus has and continues to wave His banner of freedom, deliverance, and forgiveness over you. He wants to wave it over those who are still poor, imprisoned, blind, and oppressed. Wave His banner high in your life so others can see the banner and run to it and find Jesus. They too can take up the banner of freedom because this is the time of the Lord’s favor.

Declare Today - “God has waved His banner over me, and my broken heart is restored! I will walk in freedom today.”

Written by Derek Weidman