The Liberating Christ

Liberation, in general, is defined as the act of setting free. Naturally this concept of liberation is significant in various aspects of our existence. Liberation comes in many forms. There is social and political liberation, where it refers to the struggle for freedom from oppressive systems or structures which deny basic rights and dignity to individuals. Historically, we have records of many such liberations where people collectively fought against oppressive and unjust regimes, overthrowing them to secure their freedom and rights, the fruits of which we directly or indirectly enjoy today. There is also economical liberation which addresses the inequalities and barriers that prevent individuals and communities from accessing resources and opportunities which inturn prohibit financial security. The fruit of this liberation would be equitable distribution of wealth and the surety that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from all economic activities without being discriminated against or exploited. Finally, there is spiritual liberation which would be the liberation from the bondage of sin, leading to reconciliation with our creator. Further, this also helps us understand our purpose on earth and leads to a harmonious coexistence of humanity. It is clear that liberation, though it sounds like a one time event, requires certain effort on our part to remain in the liberated state. Additionally, liberation demands collective action. However, it is crucial to note that liberation is not by human efforts alone. The hand of God is irreplaceable in not just spiritual liberation, but social and economical liberation as well. An aspect of Jesus Christ’s mission on earth is to liberate us from the bondages of sin, guilt and sickness, leading to a spiritual liberation. But Christ’s mission extends from spiritual to social and economical through the establishment of love and the kingdom of God on earth. A world where love is prevalent and there is no room for oppression of any form.

In a world marked by oppression and bondage of various kinds, the liberating power of Jesus Christ brings love, joy, hope, freedom and transformation in our lives. In the scriptures we see Jesus as one who sets out to free the bound and break the chains of oppression which is demonstrated through His love for humanity. Much prior to Jesus Christ’s mission on earth, we see God liberating the Israelites from their exile in Egypt. For this purpose He calls Moses by name and enlists him.

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:7-10

We have a seeing God who cannot bear to see the suffering of people who cry to Him. As we read through the book of Exodus we can understand the marvelous ways in which the people of Israel were led out of Egypt by the hand of God. This is a powerful example of God’s liberating work and reminds us how God delivered his people from oppression and made them into a stable self sufficient nation. God also reveals His name to Moses, saying, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), which signifies His eternality, sovereignty and unchanging nature. The God who socially and economically liberated His people in the past, still liberates ones who truly seek Him, a fact which is backed by countless instances recorded in the Bible.

The LORD further sent His only son into the world in order to provide spiritual liberation. While social and economical struggles can be witnessed outwardly, the spiritual struggles are mainly internal with some outbursts which overflow outward. Spiritual liberation is also more nuanced than the other liberations, nevertheless it is closely tied to them. Lack of spiritual reform tends to make humans either indifferent or be the cause of the suffering of fellow humans. Looking back at history and even at our current times we can’t help but wonder how we humans are capable of vile and despicable acts against ourselves. But, if humanity understands and embraces the love of God, then humanity wouldn’t harm itself. Additionally, the internal spiritual struggle can also bind us physically by diseases. Therefore, to spiritually liberate us from sin and the bondage it brings, Jesus Christ came into this world and gave himself as an atonement, thereby breaking the chains of sin and reconciling us with the Father. An incident recorded in Luke 13:10-17 outlines this liberating aspect of Christ’s mission.

Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. Luke 13:10-17

This account demonstrates the compassionate nature of Christ, who shows His concern for someone who was afflicted. The woman in this incident was bound by Satan for eighteen years and Jesus Christ broke Satan’s hold on her, thereby freeing her from the infirmity. Being free finally, the women rejoiced and glorified God. However, the incident also records that not everyone was happy. Rather than sharing in the joy of the woman, the ruler of the synagogue was indignant. While the woman’s bondage was physically seen, this person’s bound heart was not. This person who could not be happy for a fellow human needed the same spiritual liberation to learn to love. Jesus chides the person exposing his hypocritical nature, in doing so, Jesus offers him a chance for his spiritual redemption while simultaneously breaking the social bondage kept in that place.

Paul in his epistle to the Galatians emphasizes on the freedom we have obtained in Christ and warns us not to fall back on the old ways. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1). He further warns against the dangers of legalism and encourages to grow stronger in faith. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:4,5). Finally Paul reminds that the freedom we obtained is to do right by the Will of God and not to live as motivated by our desires. Rather, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, which when followed by everyone will ensure that no unjust or oppression of any form remains in the world. We can achieve this through faith, sharing love and being guided by the Holy Spirit.

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Galatians 5:13-15

The liberation given by Christ brings hope and freedom to everyone who believes in Him. In turn, the chains of sin are broken and the bondage is removed, leading to a new life of freedom. This is a liberation from social, economical and spiritual baggage. Having received this freedom through grace, we are to share the message of hope through faith, being empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have to walk steadfastly according to the scriptures so as to keep ourselves from falling back into the bondage of sin. It is through the love and grace of God we are led to salvation, and once we receive this liberation through salvation it is up to us to safeguard it. Nevertheless, we always have a comforter, the Holy Spirit, to strengthen us. Having received such abundant grace and if we still persist or return to sin, we would be judged along with those who willfully oppress people and keep justice from prevailing. May we experience the freedom which comes through faith in Christ and involve ourselves in His liberating work. Love, hope and faith will build a better world for all.