Freedom

Jesus was always producing as much freedom as possible during His lifetime. Healing every kind of disease and sickness. Exorcizing the demon possessed. Crossing ethnic and gender barriers. Violating the traditions of the Sabbath. Never washing His hands at the right time.

Sometimes, people came with faith to be healed and Jesus forgave their sins instead. It was as though His desire to free them from any kind of physical, mental, or spiritual constraint was overflowing or dripping off of Him. He simply saw they had faith in Him and it was enough.

Nevertheless, all the freedom producing stuff Jesus did during His earthly ministry wasn't enough. He wanted even MORE freedom for each of us. This is what took Him to the cross. He wasn't satisfied with just healing us from every kind of disease, sickness, and evil demon. He wanted to take away all our sins and free us from any kind of judgement (deserved or undeserved), unwarranted shame-based fear, or unwarranted self-condemnation. Moreover, Jesus wanted to make us the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5) and to sing our praises (Heb 2).

Does this sound like the kind of God who is angry, disappointed, ashamed, or holds grudges against us? No. He is the God who loves us BEFORE we get our act together (Rom 5:8). It is from this foundation of safety that we have the freedom to make good decisions in the first place. The only greater freedom to come will be when we meet Him face to face.