It is said, “if you really love something, set it free.” Freedom can look differently than one thinks. Yes, boundaries are necessary so that one does not harm others or the self, but boundaries are different from captivity, and having a bond is different from being bound. Paul self-identifies as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. He gave up his life of sin to live for Christ and love God’s people. Sweet freedom is being able to make a choice as well as the ability to surrender. 

Isaiah 61 was written to encourage Israel, who came out of exile, but were still brokenhearted by their previous experience or bondage. Even though the physical prison bars are open, the mind and spirit must adjust to the new state of being. It takes time to break the tethers of institutionalization. It is an active choice to redirect thinking, traditions, and trajectories daily. 

It is no coincidence that Jesus chose this passage for his first preaching engagement in the temple (Luke 4). This passage laid the foundation for His ministry but also announced to all that the Messiah had arrived. He will encourage the poor and brokenhearted and set the captives free. Jesus made the choice to live out His ministry in love. He made the choice to surrender to the work of the cross and give sweet freedom from sin to the world. THAT IS LOVE. 

We have a choice to accept His gift of love and redirect our thinking, traditions, and trajectories towards the love of God and away from comfortable tethers of sin. Freedom is sweet, but we have a choice to make: live free or choose to live in captivity.