Have you ever felt like you were trapped with no way out? Maybe it is an unhealthy, marital relationship. Maybe it is an addiction to pornography or drug or alcohol. May be you are drowning in financial death. May be you are simply trapped in a meaningless routine life?  Well, you are not the first to feel overwhelmed.

 

As we read the fifth chapter of Nehemiah, we discover that the Jewish families in Jerusalem are deep in debt. Some have borrowed to the point that their children are taken into slavery. Can you imagine being so pressured by your financial situation that you put your own children’s freedom in jeopardy? Well, that is exactly what is happening.   Nehemiah could have ignored the situation. He could have taken a “that’s – not – my- problem” attitude but he did not.  Nehemiah took action to address greed and financial oppression by the local leaders. He was a champion for the people of God. He was not only a builder of the wall, he was a freedom bearer to the people he loved.

 

This reminds me of Jesus who said, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” Luke 4:18-19 Yes, He came to set the captives free.

 

Jesus also calls and empowers us who have been made free to liberate others. Are you a bearer of freedom to others?  Do you confront injustice when it raises its ugly head in your community?