Kiran Manral, a female Indian writer, author and novelist once remarked: “When you finally gather the courage to release what you’ve been hanging on to for a while, you realise it is not just a release, but also a relief. It frees you to find something else to hold on to, something else that was also waiting to be held.” Deuteronomy 15:2 reminds us: “And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been proclaimed.”
Release is defined as to allow or enable an escape from confinement. It can include liberation, emancipation, forgiveness, freedom and manumission. Forgiveness can also be regarded as a release from anger, bitterness or frustration through thought, understanding or acceptance of a person’s faults and the possible contrition for their misdeeds.
There are numerous Bible passages that directly relate to the subject of release. Perhaps two of the most prolific are first, that which is stated in Matthew 27:16-17 “And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” And secondly: Exodus 5:1-9 narrates: “Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”
But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens!” The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.”
These two passages relate important and significant events which many Christians will be familiar with. The verse in Matthew is the causal factor for the imminent crucifixion of Christ, where Pilate attempts to release Him from His fate, and the second is an extract of the initial consultation of the plea by Moses and Aaron to the pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery.
Each created their own individual problems. Each had their own individual outcomes. Pilate’s pleas were ignored and produced no saving grace or forgiveness for Jesus from the inevitable death that would follow shortly afterward. Neither were the pleas of Moses and Aaron heard or considered worthy of further merit. Failure had resulted in both incidents. However, it wasn’t a futile failure, but a failure with a definitive and glorifying purpose.
Without these two necessary, and important episodes in Scripture, the inevitable benefits for the world, as we know it today, would have been somewhat lacking. Christ would not have died for the redemption of our sins and the Israelites would not have entered the promised land.
Both of these conclusions provided freedom and new life. The death of Christ liberated people from the all-consuming power of sin through forgiveness. If we earnestly repent of our sins, then the forgiveness of God allows us to try again. Our sin is not held against us for eternity. The slate is wiped clean. The opportunity always exists to change our ways and start afresh. It encompasses its own strength and power which allows for a new start in life. New thought is created which enables people to view things in a different perspective and in a divergent light. Romans 8:2 confirms: “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Freedom provides release from constraint. It is probably regarded as one of the major psychological benefits of release. The sense of relief after a prolonged period of captivity or confinement for a particular or possibly strenuous commitment can have an immeasurable release on the mind.
It is also important to highlight the courage required in both of the above scenarios quoted. Christ had to suffer the pain and degradation of an agonizing death to save us from our sins, which required immense tenacity and Moses needed the courage to prevail against Pharaoh and eventually lead his people to freedom.
Alan Cohen, an American author once remarked: “It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.” Deuteronomy 31:6 confirms: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Courage can produce great strength and determination. It is not only the willpower of a person that is enhanced, but a significant reduction in fear may also be visible or apparent to others. The release from fear provides hope and optimism for fruitful living. Ephesians 6:10-14 confirms: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”
Amen.
