Freedoms Fulfilled Today – by Pastor Scott
Freedoms Fulfilled Today – that’s good news!
The Spirit of the Sovereign GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, release from darkness for prisoners who are bound, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn…Then he (Jesus) rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Isaiah 61:1-2 & Luke 4:18-21
There are many days of freedom & liberation celebrated and commanded throughout the Scriptures.
Liberation is the act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release.
Freedom/liberation is commanded by God for His people to live out/act upon – Leviticus 25
Freedom/liberation is promised by God for all the poor, broken, captive and prisoners bound – Isaiah 61
Freedom/liberation is provided by God for all who trust in the anointed Deliverer (Messiah/Savior) – Luke 4
The LORD God’s favor & freedom are found in Jesus Christ!
What “days of freedom” do you celebrate and remember with purpose? Do you pause to observe someone or something special on a civil, ceremonial or “day of remembrance” like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthday, or “Gotcha” Day; Emancipation Day, Independence Day, Jubilation Day or the great Day of Salvation – our new birth or some other day of significance?
June 19, 2022 – United States holidays & popular observances bring commercialism & controversy
Father’s Day ~ Juneteenth ~ National Martini Day (I really can’t “speak” to this one)
Father’s Day: a day to remember our earthly fathers and to acknowledge the men who cared & provided us support.
I never had the opportunity to know my biological dad and the earthly father who provided for me was only in my life for a short time. Even though there were times when I felt “fatherless” or “abandoned” and alone, I have been blessed by parents, mentors, family & friends who have cared for, invested in and provided for me as men of honor and integrity. However, my greatest joy and truest freedom came to me when I discovered & acknowledged that I have a heavenly Father who gave me life, cares for me and has promised to never abandon, forsake or leave me on my own!
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:18
This promised blessing, given to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:6, is applied to all believers in Jesus, who taught us to pray to God as our good & loving Father. Our heavenly Father knows what we need & knows how to give good gifts to those who seek Him.
Juneteenth: a recently added federal holiday celebrating June 19, 1865, when the proclamation of freedom to end slavery became known to African American slaves in Texas.
Many people will gather this weekend to acknowledge or celebrate the freedom & liberation of a declaration that President Abraham Lincoln had issued two years earlier on January 1, 1863, known as the Emancipation Proclamation. The goal of these gatherings will hopefully be to acknowledge & celebrate in unity as Dr. Martin Luther King said, that “many have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.” Phillis Wheatley (an enslaved African woman, named after the slave ship, The Phillis – 1761) wrote this in one of her poems of freedom: “In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance.”
(Quoted in Our Daily Bread–Juneteenth devotional – copies available at our info area)
In my life story God has shown up and become a “Father to fatherless” and has provided an eternal emancipator in His Son, Jesus, offering reconciliation & redemption through His love and deep compassion. I hope and pray that I can courageously, and without commercialism or controversy, communicate these truths that have set me free in Christ!
Jesus announced and proclaimed the kingdom of God – freedoms fulfilled in Him! The freedom of righteousness sets us free from rebellion & separation; freedoms of eternal life, forgiveness, justice, mercy & peace. When we humbly participate in forgiveness, justice, love & mercy, pursuing reconciliation with God & others, we get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed.
But how will they know unless they hear and how will they hear unless someone goes or is sent?
On Sunday, June 19, we will study the “Great Commission” of Jesus in Matthew 28 to take the good news of the Kingdom to all ethnicities, nations, peoples, tongues & tribes, but today I’m wondering if we are willing to walk across the room or street to share Christ’s love with co-workers, family or neighbors who are different from us, have offended us or who don’t think we care.
“Love the Lord your God with all… Love your neighbor as… And who is my neighbor?” -Luke 10:27-29
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…and surely I am with you always” -Jesus
