1952) Okay. I admit I don’t know much about being in prison and I trust I never will. All I know about being a captive is in my head, most likely from movies or books I have read. Even with the most accurate portrayals, I still don’t know this firsthand, or do I? Let’s explore this a bit.  

A prisoner has very few rights. Someone else determines where I will go or not go. What I will eat, or not eat. Who I get to spend time with is limited by the captors. If I want to live any other way, it’s an arduous choice.  

This is what Jesus means in Luke 4:18. Here he proclaims freedom to the prisoners. While reading this, it occurs to me that without being forgiven and having eternal life, all my actions would be limited to one warden. Sin.  

This warden isn’t here to give me, as a spiritual prisoner, freedom from sin. It controls how I act, limits my choices, and makes it very difficult to break out of my cell.  

Once Jesus makes it possible for me to be pardoned, the warden of sin no longer have the same power.  

I am no longer a prisoner. Are you?vv