Born to Set Thy People Free Day 6

BY Scarlet Hiltibidal

My daughters just started taking jiu-jitsu classes. They are simultaneously the most adorable and least ferocious fighters I’ve ever seen. They arrive at class with their white belts cinched and their hair tied up, and they pay attention with laser focus as their coach shows them how to escape bad guys and regain power over their potential oppressors. 

I’m fully invested in their jiu-jitsu, so I can tell you that this martial art is not about attacking but about possessing the skills and power to protect yourself. 

My seven-year-old may not look dangerous, but as she continues learning self-defense, she will gain a cool and humble skill set. She’ll possess power, but she won’t use it to punish. Hopefully, she’ll use it to defend and protect.

This time of year, we celebrate our God, who has all the power, but came to earth in the “likeness of humanity” (Philippians 2:7). He chose to serve rather than oppress. He used His infinite power to save His enemies. He came to set them—and us—free. 

“He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives 
and recovery of sight to the blind, 
to set free the oppressed.”
 —Luke 4:18

The prophet Isaiah said that Jesus would come to restore broken things, free captives, meet needs, protect, and guide. And then He came. And He humbled himself. 

I love that we serve this better-than-a-blackbelt God who is all-powerful, yet completely humble. I remember He arrived to suffer, serve, and live like us. I love that walking with Him and being changed by Him leads me to enjoy His great love even during “Junior Grapplers Jiu-Jitsu” classes. 

Let’s pray that our families will recognize and delight in the power of the His Spirit within us, and that we will use our new life in Him to love and live like Jesus did.