WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR

Luke 4:16-19
16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. And He stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Galatians 5:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The movie Gettysburg brings to life the three bloodiest days of US history. Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain (played by Jeff Daniels) learns that his 20th Maine Regiment is going to receive 120 Union soldiers who had mutinied.

"Here's the situation," Chamberlain tells them. "The whole Reb army is up the road a ways, waiting for us. This is no time for argument. I tell you, we could surely use you fellows. . . . You know who we are. But if you fight alongside us, there's a few things you must know. . . . This is a different kind of army. If you look back through history, you'll see men fighting for pay, for women, for some other kind of loot. They fight for land, power, because the king leads them, or just because they like killing. But we are here for something new. . . . We are an army out to set other men free."

In Luke 4:18, Jesus identified Himself as the subject of Isaiah's prophecy, as the One who would come to set people free--to "proclaim freedom." The "good news" includes both the joyful announcement in Luke 1:19 and the message of the angel in Luke 2:10-11. The "year of the Lord's favor" is reminiscent of the year of Jubilee (held once every 50 years) when debts were forgiven and slaves were set free (Leviticus 25:8-17). It was a demonstration of God's sovereign grace that brings freedom from the guilt and the effects of sin.

Today, Jesus is creating an army of His followers, who have been set free by His precious blood. He has given us the message that can set people free. You are part of a chosen group of people, a kingdom of priests, God's holy army, and His treasured possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of darkness into the wonderful light of His love and grace.

Let's go and see people set free through the life-changing message of Jesus. --Marvin Williams

DESTINATION POINTS

* Have I been set free by the love and grace of God through Jesus?
* Who in my world has been set free spiritually because of my verbal or lifestyle witness?
* Whose freedom can I pray for and actively seek this week?

bottom line: Help others find freedom in Jesus

soul journey