To Rescue and Set Free

Last updated on: December 16, 2022 at 11:53 am by Richard E. Simmons III

To Rescue and Set Free 2022-12-16T11:53:32-06:00 Richard E. Simmons III

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In this blog, that I originally wrote in 2017, I share one of my favorite stories that illustrates the ultimate reason Jesus came into the world.

In Mathew 1:18-21, we read where Joseph has learned that Mary is pregnant and he is not the father. We are told that he “not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.” But then an angel of God appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

It is clear that Jesus’s mission was established before He was even born. He came to save His people from their sins.

However, there is a word used several times in the New Testament by Paul that I think best captures what Jesus has done for us. It is the Greek word “rhuomai”, which literally means “to rescue and set free.” Listen to Paul’s own words:

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13, 14)

Then in I. Thessalonians 1:9, 10;

“For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

Author Donald Miller shares a great story about a rescue operation that took place several years ago in the Middle East. A team of Navy seals were performing a covert operation to free some American hostages.

They flew in by helicopter and made their way to the compound and stormed into the room where the hostages had been imprisoned for months. The room was filthy and dark. The hostages were curled up in a corner, terrified. When the SEALs entered the room, they heard the gasps of the hostages. They stood at the door and called to the prisoners, telling them they were Americans. The SEALs asked the hostages to follow them, but the hostages wouldn’t. They sat there on the floor and hid their eyes in fear. They were not of healthy mind and didn’t believe their rescuers were really Americans.

The SEALs stood there, not knowing what to do. They couldn’t possibly carry everybody out. One of the SEALs, got an idea. He put down his weapon, took off his helmet, and curled up tightly next to the other hostages, getting so close his body was touching some of theirs. He softened the look on his face and put his arms around them. He was trying to show them he was one of them. None of the prison guards would have done this. He stayed there for a little while until some of the hostages started to look at him, finally meeting his eyes. The Navy SEAL whispered that they were Americans and were there to rescue them. Will you follow us, he said. The hero stood to his feet and one of the hostages did the same, then another, until all of them were willing to go. The story ends with all the hostages safe on an American aircraft carrier.

Miller says that so many people see God as nothing more than an angry, judgmental, and wrathful God. However, we should see Him more like these Navy SEALs, because He came to rescue us from His wrath. And Jesus does this by absorbing God’s wrath on the cross.

Therefore the decision to follow Christ is very much like the decision these hostages had to make to follow these Navy SEALs. I think we would all agree that it would have been a great tragedy if they had refused to follow them. Yet, there are so many who refuse Jesus’s offer of rescue.

Therefore, I hope that as we enter this Christmas season, and get caught up in the pageantry and celebration of his birth, that we would not forget that God sent His son into the world, to rescue us from the domain of darkness and from the wrath to come.

This is truly “Good News.” And this is why the apostle Paul said, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” (11 Corinth 9:15)

Richard E Simmons III is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Executive Leadership and a best-selling author.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 9, 2022

How Do You Explain It?

Next Post

December 22, 2022 Saving Us From Ourselves

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Character Development Inspiration Leadership Life Purpose Personal Growth Relationships Seeking God Spiritual Truth The Bible True Masculinity Uncategorized Wisdom

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I made the people take an oath not to intermarry with foreigners, and I pulled out the hair of those who disobeyed. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Moses Ezra Nehemiah Joshua