Many people are in prisons. Some, behind real bars, and others trapped behind prisons of fear, hopelessness, abuse, drug addictions, anger, hatred, etc. Some prisons hold hardened criminals, while some hold innocent ones.
We know that in some countries people can be placed in dark, dingy cells or worse, in dungeons. Think about this, “If you’re imprisoned and your government pays off all its debt, does that liberate you from your condition? Does it change your anger, hatred, lust, or other things hidden within your heart? Not at all. If the leader of the country you’re in gets replaced, does it free you? Same answer, no.
Travel back two thousand years and we’ll find the same situation. Isreal wanted freedom from Roman bondage and control. They sought a messiah to form an army and fight for their freedom. Their liberator would “Show those Romans who’s boss,” they thought and hoped. If such a liberator came on the scene, they were ready to crown him king and leader of their movement. But would it have changed their inner battles? Would such a leader erase their anxieties and disdain for the Romans? No!
Even if your financial situation or housing dilemmas improve; if anger management works for you, sin will forever eat away at your life. See, none of the exterior improvements, or internal helps will deal with sin. Sin is ingrained in all humanity from inception and passed on to everyone brought into the world. Here’s a shocker: In God’s eyes, we’re all guilty of sin and deserve death.
Jesus, in His wisdom, ignored becoming a world-leader and getting crowned as king of His people because His time for that hadn’t arrived. Instead, His plan was to take the blame and sting (death) of sin for every human ever, upon Himself and set humanity free.
If you’ve ever watched a SUPERMAN movie, invariably, he has to fly out to some remote area, namely, space or an ocean, and absorb the impact of a meteor or bomb to save humanity. That’s what Jesus did for us. Allowing sin to be our companion, would always keep us imprisoned by it-forever. Jesus absorbed the impact/explosion of sin upon humanity. Israel missed that all-important message.
Instead, like those playing a game of checkers, waiting to be “Crowned king,” Israel awaited its king and deliverer. So, are you ready to make anyone your ruler in exchange for freedom?
Every battle we face isn’t about our neighbors or the people living across the street, etc. it’s not about the government and it isn’t about unfairness. It’s about Satan who works behind lies, unjust practices, and his number one goal: to keep us from being saved. He doesn’t want us following Jesus; instead, he wants to give us eternal life, with him in the darkness of hell; in the dungeon you might now find yourself in.
Jesus didn’t die in vain! He died to set you free! Claim your salvation now, today! Be set free! Give Satan a swift kick in his buttooshki! Cast him out in the powerful Name of Jesus, King of kings and LORD of Lord!
How do you know He really loves you? He wore the crown of thorns you deserved. He took the nails meant for you. He was pierced on the side for your sake. He took the shame that was yours and hung naked on a cross for all to see. He died in YOUR place and took your unrighteousness that you might live with HIS righteousness! Additionally, after rising from the grave, He kept His nail prints and wounds as an eternal reminder of His love for you! Only Jesus can change us on the inside.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
God Bless!
Sam