Jim Caviezel stars in the recently released movie, “The Sound of Freedom.” It is the story of Tim Ballard, who quit his job to rescue children from global sex traffickers. Ballard founded Operation Underground Railroad to further that cause. Worldwide trafficking is a growing $15B market. Ballard’s operation has set free over 6000 captives.
The true story of a victim held against her will then set free makes for a powerful movie. It is also a picture of God’s grace. The captive who yearns for freedom, which is beyond her grasp, can only hope that someone with power and compassion comes to deliver her once and for all. Christ Jesus is that Rescuer who came to set you free.
Jesus quoted Isaiah to explain His purpose. “He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives…To set free those who are oppressed,” He said. “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18,21). He proved the point by setting people free from the physical pain of hunger, disease, and death. After telling an invalid man his sins are forgiven, Jesus sets him free from paralysis as visible evidence he could do both (Mark 2). He also set people free from blind adherence to empty religious rituals and demeaning attitudes toward women and minorities.
Jesus offers to set you free from the human condition saying, “Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:26). The answers to questions about life, meaning, and destiny are not locked away in some agnostic mystery. They are revealed not in the darkness of godlessness, or the limited light of scientific inquiry. You find them in the Truth that sets you free (John 8:32).
The liberty found in Christ means release from the blindness that keeps you from seeing your own captivity, and from the hopelessness that keeps you from embracing your own rescue. Your walk through the open prison door begins with faith in Christ and continues by trusting Him to lead you in the paths of righteousness. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free,” Paul writes. “Therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1).
Caviezel’s movie depicts the rescuers bursting down a door and storming a beach. It shows the emotional toll of their compassionate sacrifice, and the emotional reward when a fearful little boy throws his arms around his rescuer’s neck. Caviezel must have a bent for playing the courageous, sacrificial rescuer. His most famous rescue role was his portrayal of Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ.”
Which is my point. The captive set free is a picture of what Jesus does for you. Your testimony is as the familiar lyrics say, “I was once was lost, but now I’m found.” That’s amazing grace.