Release to the Captives!

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives.
Luke 4:18b

To set free the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die.
Psalm 102:20



What would it be like, to be confined in a Death Row Prison cell knowing that at any moment, you could die? Then, suddenly, the guard comes and proclaims, "You have been released!" and opens the prison door to your complete freedom.

This is the proclamation of Christianity. Jesus in last weekend's Gospel from Luke 4 proclaimed that He had come to proclaim "release to the captives." The Introit was from Psalm 102 and fit so well: "set free those who were doomed to die."

As we confess in church: "I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved your temporal and eternal punishment." Such is the punishment of our sins: "For the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23a
But Jesus was sent to obtain full pardon and forgiveness of our sins by His Holy life, death and resurrection. He releases creation from its bondage to sin, death and Satan and restores it to its proper state of peace with the Creator.

What magnificent, freeing words it must be for a prisoner on Death Row to hear that he is released! What even more magnificent words to hear our Lord Jesus continue to proclaim: I have come to proclaim release to the captives! And if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! John 8:36

Hear His proclamation of freedom for your sins! Believe it above all things! Live in its freedom!