If you also become free inside. By Kai Mester

Reading time: 5 minutes

The Bible tells several stories about how God delivered his charges: Noah and his family in the ark, Abraham and his family from a godless city, as well as Lot and his family.

The most famous rescue operation in the Bible is probably the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. No less important is their exodus from Babylon almost 1000 years later. But the Jewish followers of Jesus also went to the mountains in time between the two Roman sieges of the city of Jerusalem and thus escaped the catastrophe when the city was destroyed. More recently, the return of Jews from around the world to Israel has been a hot topic.

In the example of modern Israel, however, we see that an external exodus is not enough. It can certainly lead to a new spiral of sin and violence.
The freed can become a curse for others by not only living on the sins of the western world on the soil of the promised land, but also helping to spread them.

Hence the question: from which danger zones and destructive habits, from which slavery does God want to rescue me? Does this text speak to me as well, just anyone who can be spoken to?

A personal declaration of love

"But now says the LORD, who created you, Jacob, and who formed you, Israel: 'Have no fear, I redeemed you. I have called you by name; you belong to Me. If you walk through water, I'll be with you. Rivers shall not flood you! If you walk through fire you will not be burned; the flames will not consume you! For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour... Because you are precious and valuable in my sight and because I love you, I will sacrifice lands in your place and peoples for your life. Do not be afraid'Cause I'm with you I will take your children from the east and gather you from the west. To the north I say: Give me! And to the south: hold no one back! Bring my sons from afar, my daughters from every corner of the earth—all who are named after my name, whom I have made to my glory, whom I have formed and created... You are my witnesses!' says the LORD. 'You were chosen to know me, to believe in me, and to know that I alone am God... I alone am the LORD, there is no other Savior.'” (Isaiah 43,1:11-XNUMX New Life)

The Messiah brings God's salvation

Many people associate the following text with Christmas and the big Christian churches. However, if one reads it free from these traditions, then the text can only unfold its personal meaning for the individual.
“Suddenly an angel of the LORD appeared in their midst. The glory of the LORD shone around them. The shepherds were alarmed, but the angel calmed them down. ›Do not be afraid!<, he said. ›I bring good news for all people! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—was born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And by this you will know him: You will find a child lying in swaddling clothes in a manger!' Suddenly the angel was surrounded by the heavenly hosts, and they were all praising God, saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, and good will among men.'” (Luke 2,9:14-84 New Life, Luther XNUMX)
Once again we are aware that the answer to our fear is the Messiah: Jesus of Nazareth, whom no church, no human system can appropriate for itself.