It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1, NIV

This weekend, the night sky will be lit up with fireworks to celebrate our country's freedom, an independence our forefathers declared 250 years ago.  John Adams was right when he envisioned the birthday of America being celebrated in generations to come with "bells, bonfires, and illuminations."  As Americans, we realize that freedom isn't something to take for granted.  It must be celebrated, commemorated, and appreciated with experiences that draw the senses and impress the heart with its significance.  Similarly, as Christians, we have been blessed with a spiritual freedom that cannot be held lightly.  It's a liberty that is ours not through a signed document but through the precious blood of the Lamb.  This past Sabbath, we were able to celebrate, commemorate, and appreciate the freedom we have in Christ with ordinances that engage all our senses and are meant to transform the heart.

THE OLD TESTAMENT STORY OF FREEDOM

When the hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."  Luke 22:14-15, NIV

The celebration of the Passover was an annual remembrance of Israel's physical freedom from literal slavery.  The Passover meal reminded the Jews of the setting and circumstances of their national deliverance -- things like unleavened bread pointing to the urgency of their flight and herbs that recalled the bitterness of the bondage they were leaving behind (Ex. 12:8).  At the heart of it all was the consumption of the Passover Lamb to commemorate that Israel's exodus from Egypt was preceded by a plague of death that "passed over" (Ex. 12:27) rather than through their homes as long as their doorposts were covered by the blood of a lamb.  Every time the Jews celebrated their national freedom, they were to remember that their ultimate deliverance from death came through the sacrifice of a lamb.  Can you guess why Jesus desired so "eagerly" (Lk. 22:15) to eat this meal with His disciples before He suffered?  It wasn't just to look back upon Israel's physical liberty through a literal lamb.  It was to assure His disciples that whatever suffering they would soon watch Him endure had a divinely appointed purpose of purchasing humanity's spiritual liberty by becoming the Lamb of God.

THE NEW TESTAMENT STORY OF FREEDOM

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  Luke 22:19, NKJV

At the last supper, Jesus was masterfully reshaping that Old Testament story of past freedom from slavery into a new story of eternal freedom from sin.  He "took the bread" not just as a matter of fact but in order to ascribe new meaning to it.  Instead of being a reminder of their hasty departure from Egypt that didn't allow time for bread to rise, the bread would now be a portrayal of His righteous life free from the leaven of sin and His broken body "bruised for our iniquities" (Isa. 53:5).  Additionally, the cup of juice would forever tell the story of the new covenant promise through the shed blood of Jesus (Lk. 22:20).  Ever after, eating the bread and drinking the cup would be more than a remembrance of that story of grace but an active embrace of it -- personally receiving the assurance of sins forgiven and God's law written on our hearts (Jer. 31:33, 34), individually experiencing freedom from depending on ourselves for salvation.

OUR STORY OF FREEDOM

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1, NIV

Freedom from sin and dependence upon ourselves for salvation?  That is truly a gift only Jesus can give.  And apparently, it's a gift we need to stand firm in.  The very fact that Paul has to urge us to not "be burdened again with the yoke of slavery" implies that it's our natural tendency to slip back into our former bondage, to somehow forget the freedom that is ours.  So how do we intentionally stand in this freedom?  

By remembering Jesus -- what He has done and is always doing for our salvation.

Of course, celebrating communion is a beautiful way to concretely and actively exercise our faith in Christ, but it's not the only way.  Daily abiding in God's Word is another way we can steadily experience freedom in Jesus.  In John 8, there's a clear connection between daily dwelling on Scripture and experiencing the freeing truth of Jesus (Jn. 8:31, 32, 36).  When we come to the Bible not just for rules but for relationship, we'll stand fast in the freedom for which Christ as set us free.  Every time we open God's Word, it's an opportunity to behold its testimony about Jesus (cf. Jn. 5:39) and rehearse the good news of what He has done and will do for those who believe.

So this weekend, while we rejoice in the liberties of this blessed country, let's remember Jesus and the ultimate freedom only He can supply.  Thankfully our celebration of that freedom isn't only reserved for special weekends or bombastic displays.  It's my prayer that the freedom we have in Christ would be a story we rehearse, rejoice in, and personally receive each and every day.  May we each let freedom ring in the truest and most eternal sense!