On Day 3 we looked at how we, as Christians empowered by the Holy Spirit, can proclaim liberty to the captives. Today we want to look more into this topic by seeing how we can set at liberty those who are oppressed.

Our guiding questions for today are the following:

1. Who are the oppressed?
2. How should we be involved in this process?

A person who is oppressed is someone who is subject to harsh treatment (for example under an authoritarian rule). Throughout the Bible, we see how the Jewish people were subject to many forms of oppressive rule in places such as Egypt and Babylon. Many characters face oppressive rulership at times, such as David and his tribe against the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:4-54), or Esther and the Jewish people against Haman (Esther). The oppressed in Jesus’ time, as well as in ours, are those who are powerless to the constraints that others put upon them. Think back to the previous verses, where we described the definition of the poor, the brokenhearted, and the captives. Not only did Jesus come to all of these, but He came to aid people who are powerless to the things happening to them in the world. As we already know from the previous devotion, the liberation of the oppressed comes from the knowledge of the power of the Gospel, the justice which only God can bring, and the commitment to following after Him solely. 

The Bible says in John 10:10, “the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” The thief in this context is Satan, the fallen angel who is known as the prince of the earth (Ephesians 2:2). Despite the oppressive rulership people exert upon others, their sinful ways will always lead back to the influence of Satan. When Jesus read from the scriptures in Luke 4:18-19, He was announcing with this verse that He has come to give people hope; that in Him there is a power which cannot be defeated (therefore defeating Satan); that He alone has the authority to set people free; and that He rules over that which is light and darkness. He has all dominion, as Ephesians 1:19-23 says: “that [the] power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Christ has defeated Satan, and He has all dominion to liberate those who are under oppressive rulership. This is good news for us today.  

Just because Christ defeated darkness, does not mean that we do not have an active part to play in pushing back the darkness with light. We are called to be lightbearers after all; Christ’s hands and feet (Ephesians 2:10). Looking to Esther in the Bible, we can see that she put her own life at risk to save the Jews, who would have been executed if it weren’t for Mordecai’s warning (see book of Esther). She could have remained silent as a queen, saving herself, but she chose to bring her petitions before the King, unknowing if he would show her favor or not. Esther is a great example of using her position and her voice to stand up for those who are oppressed. In our present times, there are people who are oppressed, which we have the opportunity to reach. Some of these people are even mentioned within the scriptures, underlining the importance for us to go and visit them: the widows, the orphans, the poor (1 Timothy 5, James 1:27, Proverbs 29:7, etc.). When we show up for these people, we are representing God, who says in Psalm 68:5 that He is: “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows…” 

Once more we reflect on the knowledge that nothing is impossible with Christ, and that through our salvation the Holy Spirit now dwells within us. We want you to realize that your citizenship to heaven gives you access to Jesus, who wants to empower you to preach, to prophecy, to heal, and to deliver. It is Christ in us the hope of glory, which means He is looking to use us to touch the lives of the people surrounding us. As royal priests, we can notice those who are in need, and empower them with the words of the Gospel, letting them know that there is One who liberates the oppressed and whoever He sets free is free indeed! (John 8:36). 

Let us pray:

Father, thank you that you are our great defender. Thank you that our faith in you does not leave us defenseless, but it empowers us to see a different reality; to walk with an upright posture; and to actually bring life into bad situations. We pray for the oppressed today – and ask that you would use us as your hands and feet to show up in their lives and make a difference. May your Holy Spirit give us wisdom and boldness to proclaim your name and to act as you did! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflections: 

• Who needs to hear this empowering message today? Send them this devotional and offer to pray with and for them. 
• How can you get involved in aiding people around you? Are there orphanages close by? Could you offer an hour of your time to share Jesus with these people?
• Do you want to grow in your faith? Start praying bold prayers which are rooted in the Word.