You have just been taken hostage. Freedom lost. Another is in control of your future, your destiny. The unsub is demanding your death, the penalty of past mistakes. He is making a list, and the list is long. All those things you tried to forget or sought to keep hidden, all your weaknesses and failures.

“Enough!” someone shouts. “I will take their punishment. I will die in their place.”

It was Jesus. Stepping in to cancel your debt, forgive your sin, and pay with His own blood the debt that you owed, the punishment you deserved. You were offered life because He suffered your death penalty.

But would you accept His free gift?

According to Old Testament law, sin required sacrifice. In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus left the glory of heaven, came to earth, took on the form of a man, and became the perfect sacrifice (Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 5:9).

For those of us who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and choose to follow Him, “[W]e have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1b-2). Jesus is not only our Savior, but our Advocate.

The only ones meant to be taken as eternal hostages, being completely separated from God forever, are the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Unfortunately, others are choosing that destiny also.

May you take steps to avoid that hostage situation and exchange it for eternal life in Jesus Christ! If you do, you will experience true freedom in Him.

Today, choose life!