Garden Club Reflections- Delivering the Captives

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…to preach deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18) This verse contains Jesus’ prophesied ministry goals, literally a job description for His time on earth and a hint of His future global kingdom. But is not this objective oddly worded? Why simply “preach” deliverance? Why not just open the door of the prison? Is the captor simply to find the courage to open that door himself?

               Another promise had Jesus telling humanity that knowing the Truth can set free those bound in chains. As One Who broke the chains of death and bent the bars of the grave, Jesus grasps the need to fortify the hearts of the captives who languish, powerless to shake off their shackles. Let’s BE free. Let’s PROCLAIM the freedom available through Christ. His ministry is our ministry also, freeing people!