In today’s post, we’re talking about WHY Jesus breaks us out of the prisons we sometimes find ourselves trapped in. Jesus came to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and to set the oppressed free. Whether it be the prison of sin, the prison of our past, or the prison of negative thought patterns, Jesus has the power to break us free.
For those who have experienced the freedom that Jesus brings, it is a cause for celebration. We can rejoice in the fact that Jesus has broken us out of the prisons we were trapped in.It may have been the prison of sin, the prison of our past, or the prison of negative thought patterns. Whatever it may be, we can celebrate that Jesus has set us free.
However, some of us are still seeking a prison break. We may feel stuck in a set of circumstances that seem hopeless. It could be a struggling marriage, wayward children, financial difficulties, or mental health issues.These individuals may not be here to celebrate their freedom, but rather to seek a way out of their current prison.
Regardless of whether we are here to celebrate or seek a prison break, it is important to understand why Jesus breaks us out of these prisons. Jesus doesn’t just set us free from something, He sets us free for something. He has a purpose for our freedom, and if we are unwilling to trust Him in what He has freed us for, we may find ourselves stuck in a prison we wish He had set us free from. In the book of Acts, we see an example of God breaking Peter out of prison.
King Herod had arrested some members of the church, including James, and intended to persecute them. James was put to death, becoming the first apostle to be killed for his faith. Peter, on the other hand, was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying for him. While the church was praying, an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter and broke him out of prison. The chains fell off his wrists, and the angel led him out of the prison.
Peter thought he was seeing a vision, but soon realized that the Lord had truly set him free. He went to the house of Mary, where many people had gathered and were praying. When they opened the door and saw Peter, they were astonished. Peter then shared his story with them and told them to inform James and the other brothers and sisters. And then it says something so interesting; He then left for another place.
Where did he go? We don’t know. People have speculated. Some think he went to Rome, some back to Antioch. Or maybe he went on a mission trip. We don’t know. Why not? Why doesn’t the Bible say? Because what’s important isn’t where he went, it’s where he wasn’t. He wasn’t in Jerusalem any more. He wasn’t staying stuck in his comfort zone any more. He was stepping out beyond the borders of Jerusalem.
Peter understood that God had broken him out of prison to call him beyond his comfort zone. He was willing to trust God and continue on the journey, even if it meant going into unfamiliar territory. The same applies to us today. When God breaks us out of our prisons, whether literal or figurative, He is calling us beyond our borders. He wants us to trust Him and step out of our comfort zones.
He wants us to continue following Him, even if it means going into unfamiliar territory. So, let us ask ourselves these questions: What has Jesus set us free from? What has He set us free for? Are we willing to trust Him in what He has set us free for? Are we willing to go beyond our borders and follow Him into unfamiliar territory?
God breaks us out of prisons to call us beyond our borders. He wants us to trust Him and continue on the journey, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. Let us have the faith to open the door and let His provision in. Let us keep knocking and seeking His guidance. And let us celebrate the prison-breaking Savior that we have in Jesus.
This is just a quick highlight of the full message. Check out the full video of the message here.
