The Mamertine Prison

Freedom is one of those lofty ideals that can be tricky to define. Do bars and chains make someone a captive? Can wealth and privilege truly set someone free?

What if we’re so used to the chains that hold us down that we don’t even recognize them as chains anymore?

Take the Mamertine prison, where early Christians like Saint Paul were held. Neither the walls of those cells nor the authorities in charge had the power to take away the freedom that Jesus Christ purchased for his people.

Check out this clip from The Chosen that captures a powerful moment from Luke 4:14-30:

WATCH

READ

In this intense scene, Jesus says, “If you cannot accept that you are spiritually poor and captive…if you do not realize that you need a year of the Lord’s favor, then I cannot save you.”

REFLECT

Have you recognized your captivity to sin and your need to be set free by Jesus? Are there areas of your life where you still feel trapped?

PRAY

Take a moment to confess your sins to your heavenly Father and believe that he forgives you. Ask him to help you understand what it means to walk in the freedom of his grace.