Set free

"Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." – Acts 13: 38-39

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, the context of today's passage is that St. Paul, along with his companion Barnabas, is preaching to the Jews in Antioch at the synagogue. St. Paul is trying to convince the crowd in the synagogue about the greatness of the person of Jesus.  Jesus is greater than their ancestors David and Moses.  King David after his death experienced corruption, but Jesus did not. God raised Jesus without experiencing corruption. The laws given through Prophet Moses by God for the people could not set them free from all sins but Jesus could.

St. Paul makes it very clear that those who believe in the person of Jesus; there is forgiveness of sins. Jesus has the power to forgive our sins however big they may be. There is hope in the person of Jesus. The love of Jesus has no limitations. The only condition St. Paul is giving us to believe in Jesus and trust in him. As human beings we know how fragile and weak we are and at times we fail to have hope. The hope that we have is that Jesus can set us free from any clutches of sin.

St. Paul also tells the Jews that it is not easy to believe, but those who believe will see the miracles. Dear friends, let us also believe in the person of Jesus and see the miracles in our lives. Only Jesus can set us free.  We have only one Savior. Let us also ask Jesus to forgive us all our sins and set us free from all the bondages of sin.

 

Reflection on the Acts of the Apostles 13: 36-43 by Fr. George Joseph SVD