Let My People Go

"I have already told you that I am He," Jesus said. "If then, you are looking for Me, let these others go." (John 18:8)

When the crowd came to arrest Jesus, He was willing to go with them. But even in this dark time for Him, when Judas kisses Him, betraying Him by showing the mob which one was Jesus, He’s thinking of His disciples. “...let these others go,” He tells them.

These words of Jesus have echoed throughout the history of God and man. God tells Moses to say the words, “Let My people go” to the Egyptian pharaoh in the book of Exodus at least six times. They are the words that shut the lions' mouths when Daniel was placed in the lions’ den. They are the words the Lord shouted in Cyrus’ heart that he allows the Jews to return to their home after 70 years in captivity. They are the words in Esther’s heart when a decree went out to kill every Jew in Persia. Now Jesus speaks these words to the mob for release of His disciples.

Jesus continues to speak those words. At His death and resurrection Jesus spoke those words to the kingdom of darkness and to death, “Let my people go.” I have paid the price of redemption. When Peter was imprisoned, the Lord said, “Let My people go.” And an angel released Peter. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, the Lord said, Let My people go, and an earthquake opened everyone’s shackles and the doors to the prison cells were opened.

Jesus will speak those words again when He returns. With a shout, the earth will release all those who belong to Him, both the living and the dead. And we will join Jesus in the sky to be with Him for eternity. When Jesus rules on earth, He will tell the north, the south, the east and the west to release His people. “Do not be afraid—I am with you! "From the distant east and the farthest west, I will bring your people home. I will tell the north to let them go and the south not to hold them back. Let my people return from distant lands, from every part of the world.” (Isaiah 43:5-6) And then every promise to the Jews and creation will be fulfilled.

We live here on earth free people, children of God because of the redeeming work of the Lord. We have been released from the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God. “He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of His dear Son,” (Colossians 1:13) We are free from the power of sin. ...free from the wrath of God. ...free from the power of death. We are free to worship the Lord. “If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.” (John 8:36)