“18 “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,” Luke 4:18 New American Standard Bible 1995
Many times, Gods word has two applications of His word. One literal and one figurative. Both are true.
Mankind can be poor financially or poor in spirit. Down cast hurting.
The release of the captives can be seen in scripture literally when Paul was released from prison. Figuratively man can be held captive by thoughts of inferiority, guilt, hurt, pain from past experiences.
Christ healed the blind man literally; he also opened the eyes of the blind spiritually. When He opens spiritual eyes, people can see Christ as who He is, they can see the liberating truth in what he taught. They can see the freedom He bought us when He died on the cross. They can see prophecy fulfilled when He was resurrected from the grave. They can see that man has forgiveness of sins and life eternal when the accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
We can see oppressed people set free. He freed the Gerasene Demoniac.
God wants to set people free from past hurts, low self-esteem, guilt, anxiety.
Many people resort to drugs and alcohol to escape emotional and physical pain. Pain, they don’t want to face. The drugs and alcohol temporarily give them an escape. But the source is still there when the effects of drugs and alcohol wear off. This can lead to a downward spiral into addiction. Addictions that may result in harm to the body or death.
There is no sin great enough that the love of God through the blood of Christ can’t cover. Paul considered himself the greatest sinner, he persecuted Christians and encouraged their death. Yet Christ chose him to become the chief apostle to the gentiles.
God wants you to come to Him for healing. He can heal the deepest pain and hurt permanently. Drugs and alcohol cannot heal. They only mask the pain, and until true healing occurs. If you don’t let God heal you, you will always be looking for another way to deal with your pain.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version
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