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The power of release is part of Jesus’ ministry.“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from the darkness for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor. (Isa. 61:1-3, NIV)
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and dirty. Known in earlier times as the Tullianum dungeon, its “neglect, darkness, and stench” gave it “a hideous and terrifying appearance,”- Roman historian Sallust. Prisons typically served as holding cells for those awaiting trial or execution. Prisoners were rarely sent there just for punishment. It is easy to see why someone confined would want to get out. Jesus is empowered to free us from situations that hold us captive and have us feeling trapped. He doesn’t just want to free us from the prison itself but from its darkness. Darkness is defined not just as the absence of light, but as evil, wickedness, secrecy, ignorance, unhappiness, distress, and gloom. It’s crazy how we hold on to darkness as if we have no other choice. Release the darkness.
