Understanding Hope and Freedom in Simple Terms
Imagine feeling like things would never change—like you were stuck in a world where hope was just a distant dream, and no one seemed able to help. That’s what life was like for many people before Jesus began sharing His message. They were held down by tough rulers, weighed down by their own struggles, and wondered if God had forgotten them.
The World Before Jesus
People in Israel had heard stories about how, long ago, God performed amazing miracles—like parting the sea or rescuing people from danger. But those stories seemed like they belonged to another age. The voices of prophets had gone quiet. Their land was now controlled by the powerful Roman Empire. Taxes were high, life was hard, and it was easy to feel small and powerless. Many wondered if anything would ever get better.
Jesus Brings a New Kind of Hope
Then Jesus appeared, and everything started to change. Instead of talking about armies or revolutions, He spoke of something new and wonderful: the “kingdom of God.” But this kingdom wasn’t about palaces or soldiers. It was about a loving God who cared for each person and wanted to set them free from whatever held them back—fear, sadness, guilt, or anything else.
On a mountainside, surrounded by everyday people, Jesus shared words that surprised everyone. He said things like, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This meant that even people who felt broken or left out were precious in God’s eyes. Jesus promised that God was close to those who were struggling, and that better days were ahead.
Why Deliverance Mattered So Much
For Jesus’ listeners, this was life-changing. After generations of feeling like God was far away, they heard that God was closer than ever. Jesus showed them that God was still working in the world—healing, forgiving, and welcoming everyone. His message was not just about escaping their problems, but about finding purpose, peace, and love right where they were.
And it wasn’t only about spiritual things. People were hurting in real, everyday ways—dealing with unfair rulers, poverty, and disappointment. Jesus taught that God cared about all those things, too. He showed that true deliverance meant lifting up the weak, caring for the outcasts, and building a community where everyone belonged.
What About Us Today?
You might wonder if this message still means anything now, thousands of years later. The answer is: absolutely. We all face challenges that can feel just as heavy as what people faced back then—worries about the future, unfairness, feeling alone or misunderstood. Jesus’ message of deliverance is still a promise that things can change, and that we are never alone.
His teachings invite us to trust in something bigger than ourselves. When He said, “The kingdom of God is near,” He meant that hope, love, and freedom are available to anyone, right now. Jesus calls us to treat others with kindness, to stand up for what’s right, and to believe that no one is ever beyond God’s care.
How Can We Live This Out?
Living out Jesus’ message of deliverance doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. It means looking for hope, even on hard days. It means reaching out to help others, even in small ways. And it means believing that, no matter what we face, God’s love and power are strong enough to help us through.
In Short
Jesus’ message of deliverance was—and still is—a message of hope for anyone who feels lost, tired, or stuck. He showed that God’s love is real, that change is possible, and that every person matters. We don’t have to earn this deliverance; it’s a gift, waiting for us to accept it. All we need to do is open our hearts and say yes to hope, to freedom, and to a life filled with God’s love.
Minister A Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 