The phrase “to proclaim liberty to the captives” comes from Isaiah 61:1, which reads: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” This verse is packed with meaning and speaks to God’s heart for setting people free from all forms of captivity.
Background of Isaiah 61:1
Isaiah 61 is a passage filled with hope and a future vision of restoration for God’s people. In its original context, it was speaking to the people of Israel who were in exile in Babylon. They had been taken from their homes and were living under Babylonian captivity. This passage speaks to God’s promise to deliver them from that physical bondage and bring them back to the land of Israel.
But the passage also has a broader meaning beyond just physical captivity. It points to God’s desire to set people free spiritually from the captivity of sin. Though the people of Israel were in physical exile, they also needed restoration and deliverance from the spiritual exile of being separated from God. This passage ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who quoted it in Luke 4:18-19 at the beginning of His earthly ministry.
Proclaiming Liberty
To “proclaim liberty to the captives” means to announce, declare, and spread the message of freedom to those who are bound. The Hebrew word translated here as “liberty” can also mean deliverance or release. So this phrase is telling us that God has anointed Jesus to proclaim release and deliverance to those held captive. Let’s explore some of the different kinds of captivity that Jesus came to set us free from:
1. Captivity to Sin
Sin is one of the greatest captors – it exerts control over our lives and leads us into all kinds of other bondage. Sin distorts our identity, damages relationships, and destroys lives. Romans 6:16 tells us that we are “slaves of the one whom [we] obey, whether of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness.” But Jesus came to set us free from the captivity and slavery of sin! Through His death and resurrection, He broke the power of sin over our lives so that we could walk in freedom and newness of life (Romans 6:1-14).
2. Captivity to the Law
The law, though good, cannot provide freedom from sin. The law reveals our sin but cannot save us from it. It acts more as a captor and jailer that locks us up. Galatians 3:23 says, “we were held captive under the law.” Trying to earn salvation through good works and law-keeping only leads to more captivity. But Jesus proclaims freedom from the useless captivity of trying to justify ourselves by the law. Through Him, we are declared righteous by faith (Galatians 3:11-14).
3. Captivity to Fear
Fear is a major stronghold that keeps people in bondage. It cripples us from living freely and boldly as God designed. Hebrews 2:15 says Jesus came to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Other common fears like failure, man, the unknown also hold us back from stepping into God’s calling. But “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18), and Jesus sets us free from the spirit of fear by giving us His perfect love.
4. Captivity to Condemnation
Many people live under a cloud of guilt, shame, and condemnation over their lives. The accusations of the enemy, voices from the past, and lies that we believe about ourselves hold us down in spiritual captivity. Jesus said He came to give us beauty for ashes and turn our mourning into joy (Isaiah 61:3). Though our sins deserve condemnation, Christ bore that condemnation for us on the cross (Romans 8:1). We no longer have to be shackled by condemnation but can walk in the glorious freedom of forgiveness.
5. Captivity to Addiction
Addictions of all kinds have immense power to hold people captive. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, pornography and other vices lead to debilitating bondage. Breaking free in our own power seems impossible. But Jesus proclaimed that He came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18), and that includes freedom from addiction. His power can break any chain and restore anyone bound up by addictive behaviors. Freedom from addiction is found in walking closely with Christ on a daily basis.
6. Captivity to Depression
Depression afflicts many people, often holding them captive in persistent despair, hopelessness, and darkness. But Jesus came as the light shining in the darkness (John 1:5) and proclaimed liberty for the captives. He gives joy for mourning, beauty for ashes, and strength for weariness (Isaiah 61:3). He came to give us abundant life (John 10:10), setting us free from the captivity of depression. We can find hope, healing, and freedom in His powerful, death-conquering resurrection life.
How We Can Walk in This Freedom
Jesus’ death and resurrection secured our freedom from sin, condemnation, and the law. However, walking in the fullness of this freedom requires faith and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Here are some keys to walking in the liberty proclaimed by Jesus:
1. Renew Your Mind with Truth
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). As we soak in God’s Word, it renews our minds and sets us free from lies and strongholds we have believed. Taking thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ is key (2 Corinthians 10:5).
2. Reckon Yourself Dead to Sin and Alive to God
Romans 6:11 says to consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. Daily remembering your union and identification with Christ in His death and resurrection is powerful for walking in freedom from sin.
3. Walk by the Spirit
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Following the Spirit’s leading and yielding to Him is crucial for experiencing freedom. The Spirit guides us out of captivity and into the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:14).
4. Appropriate Christ’s Finished Work by Faith
Freedom has already been accomplished by Christ, but we receive it by faith. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). As we daily trust and rest in His finished work, we walk in greater liberation from strongholds.
5. Break Ungodly Soul Ties and Relationships
Sometimes we need to break free from unhealthy relationships and influences that draw us towards sin and keep us in bondage. As we abide in Christ, He gives us strength to walk away from captivity-inducing situations and connections.
Freedom to Serve and Worship God
An important aspect of the freedom proclaimed by Jesus is that it sets us free to wholeheartedly worship, serve, and walk with God. We are no longer slaves to sin but are now “slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18). Our affections are turned towards Christ, and we freely surrender all to Him. Sin’s power over us is broken so that we can live fully for God’s purposes. As John 8:36 says, when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!
The good news of the gospel is that absolute freedom and redemption are found in Christ alone. What we could not do for ourselves, Christ did for us through His sinless life, death for our sins, and resurrection. If you are still facing any kind of captivity in your life, call upon Jesus, and His Spirit will lead you into abundant freedom, giving you power to walk in victory as His child.