The Day After The War

They have been saved. The news of German surrender was announced the night before and the Jews rest together waiting for official word because the man who rescued them is now a fugitive. A Russian officer approaches the gates and utters the words "You have been liberated by the Soviet army!"

Just like that; they were free. No more being hunted and slaughtered. Over 6 million of their people had already experienced this, more than we can imagine lost everything, and in a moment they are free.

I cannot imagine the day after the war. The fear, the skepticism, the mourning. Most Jews had nowhere to go; just because they were legally free does not mean that certain people did not still see them as vermin. Still today there is racism against them. They had no belongings and for most of them even their dignity was stripped from them. But... they were free, pardoned, the war was over. They had the choice to move and begin their lives over in this new world, or to remain as they were lost and hopeless - unwilling to carry on knowing they were marked and would not be welcomed by many.

As I watched the ending of one of my favorite films (Schindler's List) I could not help to relate that scene to the freedom we have in Christ. He died on the cross for us - he won the battle for our souls. However, it is up to us to live in that freedom or to deny it and continue to live like slaves. To disregard his victory and continue to live by those who scorn us because of the marks we still carry.

The fact is that Jesus shared in our humanity so that He could "free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" (Hebrews 2:14) We see in Romans 6:23 that "...The wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." What fools we would be to not claim the freedom handed to us.

Yes, we WILL face persecution "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12). The Jewish race was not welcomed back with open arms, but they kept going despite what they faced.  They fought for their families, and their race. We endeavor for the sake of the Gospel so that all may hear of and understand who Jesus is! It is our commission, and the most worthy cause.

[Galatians 5:13 also warns us against misusing our freedom "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."]

So, knowing the freedom we have in Christ (and how to use it), what do we do? We live in it. Ignore those who try to claim you are still a slave. You may still bear the "marks of a slave" as the Jews bore their numbers or scars, but know that you have been liberated. There will be people who mock you, spit at you, and throw your past in your face, but no one can rescind your freedom. You stand redeemed in the eyes of the Lord, the one who holds the power of life and death. No matter what persecution you may face never stop proclaiming the Good News - for it is the key to life.

~Amanda Rose