Colossians 3:18-4:18
Luke 7:36-50
At the conclusion of the letter to the church at Colossae Paul stops dictating to a scribe, takes the writing implement into his own hand, and adds a few words. Among them are these: “Remember my chains” (Colossian 4:18). Presumably he is asking his readers to pray for him in his imprisonment. But is it also possible that he is apologizing for his poor handwriting caused by restricted movement? No matter. Despite his imprisonment Paul is determined to continue sharing the gospel with all who will listen.
The prophet Jeremiah was also imprisoned. He had chosen a time of national crisis to express God’s judgment and been arrested for it. He might have grown discouraged or disgusted, yet when given the chance he offered a sign of profound hope by purchasing a field. The day will come, he was saying, when God’s people will be restored to their land (Jeremiah 32:15). The woman in Luke’s account did not live in literal chains, but she was bound by her reputation which, according to Jesus’ host, was as “a sinner” (Luke 7:39). But even her lowly social status did not prevent the woman from ministering to Jesus or receiving his assurance of forgiveness.
You and I carry chains as well: of sin, regret, loss, anger. We might consider our condition to be more than we can overcome. We might give up and become passive, allowing our faith to dwindle. Or we could remember Paul, Jeremiah, and the unnamed woman from Luke’s gospel, each a person bound in some way yet determined to serve God as best they could. Seen in this light our chains become far less significant to who we are and our opportunities to serve become far more numerous. There are tasks to be done, and by the grace of God we are the folks called to do them. In this way we will find our true freedom.
Prayer: God of freedom and mercy, help us to rise above that which binds us and to embrace the good news of the gospel as a message to share and a path to trod. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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