The people of Nazareth tried to throw Jesus off a cliff after He made two unbelievable statement.
1. He was the Messiah they had all been waiting for; and
2. Salvation was for everyone, and not just for certain groups of people.
But why would they tried to kill Jesus over these two statements? The answer is very simple, because of who He truly was and is, and what He offers us. He offers us everything we truly desire in life: love, acceptance, forgiveness, purpose, and hope. If we will only admit our sin, ask for forgiveness, believing that He can and will forgive us, and then commit our lives to following Him, He will give us all of these things.
Many believe or think that once someone begins to think about committing to Jesus, that life is easy, smooth, and without any issues. However, the moment we begin to have these thoughts a battle breaks out within us to oppress any commitment we might want to make. But Jesus states that He has come to set free anyone who has been oppressed because of this decision.
Verse 18: He (God) sent Me (Jesus) to set at liberty those who are oppressed or bruised. The meaning of oppressed or bruised is to crush, to over load, or burden. But Jesus states to all of us to come to Him, every one who is overloaded. Let Him carry our burdens for us. Let Him set us free.
So what types of oppressions is Jesus referring to? These would not have anything to do with our sins, but rather our desire to live for Jesus.
- Some would suggest persecution. Indeed this is part of oppression.
a. There are over 55 countries where the Bible is banned.
b. In 1993, the Gideons lost the right to give away Bible inside the school or on school grounds.
c. In 2015 the American Bible Library Association listed the Bible as the most banned book in the world. It has not been on this list since then.
d. In 2018 the state of California passed a law that banned any type of literature that was seen as “sexual orientation change efforts” (that someone might come out of the homosexual lifestyle).
e. June 5, 2023 Davis School District in Utah, banned the Bible because of its “sex-driven, vulgar and violence nature.” - We regularly face:
a. Envy or Jealousy. Others put us down because they do not understand why we have changed the way we live.
b. Fear. Some seek to oppress us because they are afraid they will lose their authority or power.
c. Anger or wrath. John 10:10a states that the thief (our enemy)seeks to steal, kill, and destroy our witness for Jesus. But Jesus has given us everything we need to stand strong in our faith. It is called the Full Armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-18.
No matter what type of oppression we might face, Jesus has come to set us free this morning. But how? Our liberation comes from our willingness to allow Him to, and our commitment to following Him all the days of our lives.
Freedom is just one step away. What we will you do this morning? Come to Jesus.