Release to the Captives Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Release to the Captives Keyword: "bondage" "freedom" "release" "slavery" W elcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Luke 4:16-21* 16. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 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 DOWNTRODDEN, 19. TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." 20. And He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him. 21. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Questions 1. Jesus was in the synagogue in His home town of Nazareth when He spoke these words. How do you think His friends and neighbors might have reacted to His claim to be the One who would perform the miracles He lists in verse 18?   2. As far as we know, Jesus didn't actually release any political prisoners from jail during His lifetime. To what do you think He was referring when He says that He is going to "proclaim release to the captives"?   Practical help From reading the verses that follow this passage, we know that Jesus' friends and relatives who had known Him from childhood questioned Him when He made these bold claims. They didn't believe Him, proving the old saw, "Familiarity breeds contempt." Familiarity can produce other destructive offspring, too — including an unwillingness to trust, a lackadaisical spirit and a complacency that leads to status quo living. But — and here is the good news — it doesn't have to be that way! Jesus offers release to the captives. There may be no record of Jesus staging dramatic jailbreaks for His followers, but the real thrust of this promise is that He breaks the power of sin in the lives of those who trust Him. People who are shackled to besetting sins like pornography can find release through a trusting relationship with Jesus. In fact, He is proclaiming release to you right now. Are you listening? Don't be like those "familiar" friends who chided Him for claiming to be God's answer to their problems. Trust Him, and watch Him be mighty for you. He wants you free. In fact, He died to purchase your freedom. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2000, 2004 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."