There is something uplifting about reading a book or watching a movie where the plot is someone coming to the rescue of the oppressed. The Bible is an ongoing narrative of the Lord rescuing people who are oppressed. Jesus tells us in Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. [1]
When we place our faith in Jesus as our Savior He rescues us from our sin, which holds us captive. How has your life been different since Jesus rescued you and drew you to faith?
Nehemiah Comes to the Rescue of Exploited Israelites
When the Israelites rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem there was a famine in the land which created a food shortage. This resulted in the wealthy taking advantage of people who did not have food. Families sold their children into slavery, borrowed money, and mortgaged their fields and vineyards to buy food.
Nehemiah 5: 6 When I (Nehemiah) heard their complaints, I was very angry. 7 After thinking it over, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, “You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!” Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem. [2] What a difference a good leader makes! When Nehemiah was confronted with a problem, he took action to correct it.
Jesus Came to Rescue Us
When Adam and Eve fell into sin it must have seemed like an amazing victory for satan. I don’t believe our enemy envisioned the Lord’s plan to rescue mankind through Jesus Christ. Paul gives us insight into God’s rescue plan long before Adam and Eve were created. God knew what would happen and had a plan for rescue!
Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.[3]
The Lord had a plan to rescue you long before you were born by calling you to faith in Jesus. Jesus would pay for the price for all our sins upon the cross so we could be set free from our sin! 1 Peter 2:24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. [4]
Coming to rescue the oppressed is exactly what Jesus has done for us. To hear more:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-economic-hardship
[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Lk 4:18). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[2-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.