Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. . . .”
In early 1973, millions of people across our country were glued to their televisions, witnessing the emotional return of hundreds of American prisoners who were released from POW camps in North Vietnam. After what seemed like endless years in captivity, they were finally able to set foot on American soil to be greeted by their devoted families. Many stepped off the plane to kiss the ground of their beloved country, the homeland they had cherished in their hearts and for years had dreamed of setting foot upon once again.
Another war is remembered today, the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, May 8th, 1945. This day was officially recorded as the day World War II ceased all conflict in Europe, also known as Victory in Europe Day. It marked the end of a determined, hard-fought battle for freedom over a despicable reign of terror brought on by the Nazis in a conflict that took over 60 million lives worldwide. That number includes many who died as captives in concentration and prisoner-of-war camps.
As the Allies gained more ground toward ultimate victory, hundreds of thousands were liberated from captivity all over Europe—700,000 from concentration camps, and over 90,000 Allied prisoners were released from POW camps. The fight for their lives and freedom was finally realized with a victory. The war would continue for three more months until the final victory in Japan, VJ Day, came on August 15, 1945, and thousands more were released from captivity.
Today, many individuals suffer as prisoners but are not necessarily in a detention facility. They are prisoners to sin, bound by chains that hold them captive. The Bible teaches that, in Christ, we are no longer spiritual POWs, held captive by the condition of our sin. We are no longer spiritually blind, for He has given us new sight to see things that are true. Sometimes we live as if we are still chained, bound by fear or depression, but we need no longer suffer alone. Jesus came to set us free from all that binds us and to bring comfort and healing. The same Jesus who walked this earth, died on the cross, and rose from the dead, paid the penalty for our sins so we could be released and unchained. We are free! If you still suffer from chains that have bound you, may you discover true freedom, starting today. May this be your VJ Day, your Victory in Jesus Day!
Our Father in Heaven, we acknowledge that you sent your Son to pay the penalty so that we could be released, unchained, free! But sometimes we live as if we are still bound. Break the chains that bind us, we pray, so that we may live in true freedom. In His victorious name we pray. Amen.
~ painting by Alex Burg
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