By Mike Chaffin
27 Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. 28 He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. 30 And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life. 2 Kings 25:27-30
Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he became King of Judah. He reigned three months before Babylon captured Jerusalem and carried him away with a multitude of prominent citizens. Some into captivity, some into slavery, and some of the younger ones, into a Babylonian educational system designed to wipe away their Judaism. I imagine Jehoiachin gave up hope to hear these last words of release from prison.
Living in bondage is no fun. In Jehoiachin’s case this bondage was literal prison. But by the grace of the new King of Babylon, he was set free, given fresh linens to wear and got to eat at the royal table.
The Bible equates living in bondage to sin as being a prisoner of the flesh. Jesus told us we can’t serve two masters. We are either a slave to sin, or a Son of God. Born into sin, we are a prisoner of our own devices, be it lust, drugs, greed, or a host of other sins that keep us from life. It takes King Jesus to come to us, and free us from sin, free us from the desire to sin and truly live like a free person. When we accept Jesus as our savior, repent and turn away from our sins to live like a Son of God, we are lifted out of the old life and we get a seat at King Jesus’s table.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
Prayer; Dear Lord, thank you that you offer me freedom from slavery. Freedom from this prison of addiction, or (insert your sin here). Lord, I ask for forgiveness from these sins and ask you to release me from them. Heal me and lift me up. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so I can live in you. In Jesus name, Amen.
