March 5, 2004

THE GREAT LIBERATOR

"Christ set us free, to be free men. Stand firm, then, and refuse to be tied to the yoke of slavery again" (Galatians 5:1, NEB).

In the six Latin American nations of Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, the name Simon Bolivar is revered as the "Great Liberator." Impressive monuments, statues, streets, and cities memorialize the name of the man who liberated these countries from Spanish rule. Other nations also memorialize their great liberators.

Towering above all the world's famous liberators is Jesus Christ. He came to "preach good tidings to the poor. . . to proclaim liberty to the captives" (Isaiah 61:1, NKJV). Christ is the consummate liberator of the human race. Millions who have been liberated by His supreme sacrifice adore Him as the authentic great liberator. The liberation of the human race took place on a cross. There the Liberty Bell of the human family rang out the freedom proclamation.

The great liberator declared, "If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36, NKJV). The freedom Christ offers is freedom from the dominion of sin and death (see Romans 8:2; 2 Timothy 1:10). God's liberated children take seriously the words of the apostle Paul: "Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the shackles of slavery" (Galatians 5:1, Phillips). May we rejoice in this freedom and share the good news with the whole world.

How comforting to know that "Christ came to our world to break the power of Satan, and emancipate the will of man. He came 'to proclaim liberty to the captives'... and to 'let the oppressed go free.' "--Signs of the Times, November 19, 1896.

My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to always treasure the freedom purchased by Your precious blood. Amen.