Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:36 (NKJV)
Series: His Name is Jesus
We all face seasons in life where we find ourselves bound—by our past, by circumstances we can’t control, by fear or anxiety, even by habits we battle to break. And in some situations, we struggle to see a way out, causing us to remain stuck in a place of defeat or hopelessness. Do you remember walking through a time you needed a significant breakthrough for your world to feel safe again? A pattern to change so you could have more joy in your relationships? A hurt to be healed so you could trust again? You are not alone. Jesus sees you.
Imagine you are standing in front of your “Red Sea.” Everything looks impossible, your prayers don’t seem to be heard, you search for a path forward, desiring to reclaim peace, and desperate to gain freedom from all that is holding you down. It is in this moment, friends, Jesus readily steps in. He is your mighty Deliverer.
Scripture teaches us that whoever Jesus sets free is indeed free. What is this freedom we seek? When we focus on the saving grace of Jesus we often do this in the context of salvation. Paul writes this in Romans 10:9-10 (ESV):
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Confessing our sins is imperative to our salvation. Salvation only comes to us when we recognize our need for a Savior, then place our trust in Jesus by calling Him Lord of our life. Please let this truth resonate within you. We must not forget that forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life are only possible because of what Jesus did on the cross—nothing we do earns salvation for us.
So, when does Jesus appear as our Deliverer? Maybe you are asking the same question we have been asking, “Must we first be saved in order to be delivered?” Does Jesus break chains, heal hurts, provide protection, or cover us with His mercy if we haven’t called Him Savior yet?
Nothing is impossible with God.
Saving grace is the only path to forgiveness and everlasting life, yet the power of deliverance often moves in a person’s life long before salvation is finalized. Now, we realize someone reading this might look at that statement and say, “Why would Jesus deliver me? I don’t follow Him.” Or maybe you’re thinking, “Wouldn’t I need to know Him in order to receive that kind of grace?” Looking in His word is the only way to find the answer.
Let’s turn to John 5:1-5 (NKJV):
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
This un-named man at the pool, called Jesus, “sir” not Savior. The man didn’t know who Jesus was, yet he was delivered from his infirmity. Jesus simply asked the man a question, “Do you want to be made well?” This is not a singular incident in scripture. In John 9, we meet a man born blind, who everyone assumes is blind due to his own or his parent’s sin. But, Jesus corrects their thinking in verses 3-5 (NKJV) as he delivers this man from blindness to reveal the glory of God.
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Reflect, friends. Can you look back upon times in your life and see that you received protection, provision, or even healing—before you knew Jesus as Savior? And if you aren’t following Him yet, maybe you were delivered for the very same reason—so the works of the Father would be revealed in YOUR life!
Hearts are drawn to Jesus in numerous ways. We cannot limit the grace and power of Jesus.
Believers—even though you are in Christ—your flesh still wants to call the shots and your strongholds battle for attention. Freedom comes when you release control, ask Jesus for the help only He can give, and set your mind and heart on Him. Chains will fall, addictions will break, and healing will begin.
Psalm 50:15 (NKJV) gives us this hope:
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
Today is a new day, and whether you have met Jesus, fought Jesus, trusted in Him or not—He can deliver you. To God be the Glory!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: John 8:36, 5:1-9, 9:3-5; Psalm 50:15, 34:19; 2 Samuel 22:2
