I hope you find time during the holiday weekend to celebrate our nation's
Independence Day. Our liberty has afforded us many reasons to celebrate.
Jesus, at the start of his ministry said he had can to preach good news to the
poor, restore sight to the blind, freedom for the captives and liberty for the
oppressed. We have experienced all these blessings and more living in one of
the wealthiest countries on the planet, enjoying the healing benefits of modern
medicine and freedom few other nations can offer. When Jesus announced that he
had come to inaugurate the year of Jubilee his audience was overjoyed with the
anticipation of freedom. Sadly, the joy turned to anger when Jesus declared he
would be bringing freedom not only to Israel but also to those outside the house
of Israel (the Gentiles). Like Jesus original audience we are all for liberty
as long as we are the recipients of the benefits. We cheer for Jesus and think,
bring on the blessings. We are far less enthusiastic when we learn someone else
will be receiving the blessings. Like Jesus, who set the example, we are called
to be agents of liberation for groups other than our own. We need to support
both our missionaries as well as our military troops as they seek to free the
oppressed and liberate the captives in distant lands. Just as God sent Jesus,
while we were still his enemies, to set us free, we need to be agents of liberty
because liberation sometimes accompanies salvation and new life in Christ. God
Bless and have a good day of worship on Sunday, Mark
