Author | Steve

[Please take a minute or two to send us your thoughts and insights.]

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” ~ Galatians 5:1

Beginning tonight (Maundy Thursday), and continuing through Easter Sunday, countless people around the world will hear of the great sacrifice Jesus made on behalf of all humanity – the only sacrifice that wins freedom from the death and destruction of this world, our bodies and our souls. For many, these four days are extremely familiar; the words, the rituals, the hymns, the dreadful dark of Friday bursting into the glorious light of Sunday. And yet, many of us come burdened by a yoke of slavery. Burdened by guilty consciences, burdened by the hard work we’re compelled to do for God, burdened by good things that have pushed Jesus out of His place as Lord and have become idols – food, entertainment, money, friends, career, family, social justice, volunteering at church, or even working for God.

But these next four days are like one, big, barbaric yawp of “FREEDOM!” It is finished! Death is dead! Jesus lives! Your heavenly Father has sent His Son and you are free! Free to live by faith. Free to love. Free to live boldly and fall flat on your face. Free to love your neighbor…and your enemy. Free to follow Jesus wherever He leads you and to bear the fruit of His Spirit. Free to be a mess who daily relies on Jesus for everything.

Jesus has freedom for you. Freedom that starts today and lasts forever.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this:

• In your experience, what one thing is keeping you (or the church) from living more fully in the freedom of the good news of Jesus?
• How is Jesus currently inviting you to live more fully in His freedom for you?

Then, let’s join together to pray to the Father of freedom, that He would so fill us with the Spirit of Jesus that our lives and our churches would bubble over with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…and freedom!