The Lord sets prisoners free….Psalm 146:7b
Chains. Bondage. Captivity. Imprisonment.
These words describe the painful enslavement to a dirty three-letter word—sin. We may never experience the isolation of an actual prison cell, but we all have been held hostage to the prison within ourselves.
The prisons of addiction, fear, shame…
Whatever our particular prisons, we have worn our jail clothes for far too long. It’s time to exchange our clothing of captivity for the garments of Christ’s freedom.
The messenger Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 61:1 that Jesus would come to
…proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…
Instead of prison clothes, the Lord arrays us in garments of praise, salvation, and righteousness (Is 61:3; 10).
Lessons from a King
It reminds me of the often overlooked story of King Jehoiachin.
If anyone knew about prison life, it was him. He spent at least thirty-seven years in the Babylonian prison after the Israelites were exiled to Babylon (See Jeremiah 52:31).
Jehoiachin made some pretty poor choices. He completely walked away from God. His consequence?
Imprisonment.
Exile.
Captivity.
But look at the grace and favor of God in the following verses…
…in the year Amel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah and freed him from prison…
King Jehoiachin was finally released from prison by the new king of Babylon.
He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. Jeremiah 52: 31b-33
Here is the progression of Jehoiachin’s timeline of freedom:
- The king of Babylon set him free from his prison
- The king of Babylon spoke words of grace and kindness to Jehoiachin
- Jehoiachin was given a seat of honor among the other kings
- He put aside his prison clothes
- He ate regularly at the king’s table
What did King Jehoiachin do to deserve such special treatment?
Nothing.
The king of Babylon and the king of Judah were enemies. And Jehoiachin was no saint, either. Before his capture by the Babylonians, he abandoned God and did not follow his commands.
King Jehoiachin deserved his prison sentence…
But God…
We serve a God of love, grace and compassion.
Though we have done nothing to deserve his kindness, he lavishes us in his love anyway.
We were once enemies of God.
But through the death and resurrection Christ, we have been brought near to God.
He has set us free from our chains of bondage.
He speaks words of kindness to us. Jesus gives us a seat of honor at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 2:6).
Lives of Freedom in Christ
We can now put aside the prison clothes of our old, sinful nature and put on the new, life-giving clothing of Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24).
We no longer have to eat the stale, dry bread of captivity, but can feast with our Savior at the Great Banquet that awaits us (Revelation 19:9).
Praise God! We are no longer prisoners. We are His precious children!
We can now rest assured knowing that the chains of our sin have been broken; it no longer has power over us.
Do you live a life of freedom in Christ, or do you still feel the heavy cloak of your past weighing down on your shoulders?
Take comfort in Romans 8:1,
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…
Condemnation is to sentence a guilty criminal. Our sentence was the penalty of death—eternal separation from God. But Jesus took our place on the cross and declared us free. We have been liberated; acquitted and absolved of all charges against us.
…because the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Jesus has removed our prison garments of death and darkness. In return, he has bestowed us with the brilliant garments of eternal life.
You have been set free.
Have you clothed yourself in Christ’s freedom today?
Walk in it. Bask in it. Take hold of your Savior, and adorn yourself in the precious clothing he offers. Take off your garments of captivity, and rejoice in your garments of glorious praise!
Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.
Psalm 142:7
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Isaiah 61 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. So many are walking in bondage when Christ has already come to set them free. Freedom is a gift He gladly gives, yet so many do not feel worthy to accept that gift. So glad that Christ has set me free! Learning to walk in the freedom more and more every day.
Thanks for stopping by Mindy! I am SO glad Christ has set us free! Isaiah 61 is one of my favorite passages also. Now I desire to help other women find the freedom Christ came to give them. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!