Are you seeking relief from an oppressive situation? Do you long to see the world from a broader perspective? Would you like to experience true freedom in your life? Have you turned to the One who can grant you all of these?
We may find ourselves in difficult, and perhaps oppressing, situations at various times in our lives. We may have been denied an opportunity due to our race, gender, cultural background, physical disability, mental disability, or simply because of how we dress.
Often, we want others to see us for who we really are rather than how they perceive us. We may want to see others as they really are rather than how they are typically perceived. Being able to see people in this way is both possible and a gift.
Being set free from a prison, whether one with bars or a situation in which we are being controlled by someone else is something many of us desire. We can experience true freedom despite our current situation.
Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61:1-2 in today’s passage. After quoting it in the synagogue in the presence of those worshiping, He tells them it is fulfilled at that moment. He continues to fulfill it today. However, it is only fulfilled for us if we are willing to accept it from Him. It is a gift from Jesus to be freed, to really see, and to be relieved of oppression.
You may say, “I want it, but it isn’t coming.” That is not true. It is coming and has come. When we are fully committed and rely solely on Jesus, these are gifts He delivers to us. Too often, we want these things, but also want to hold onto our perceived control. We must give up our perceived control and turn it all over to Jesus.
I pray we all desire these gifts from Jesus. I pray we decide to fully commit to Him. I pray each one of us give up control and turn it all over to Jesus, accepting these gifts from Him. Experience true freedom. Receive true sight. Be relieved of oppression. Accept Jesus’ gifts. Turn it all over to Him.
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Marty Pressey 