Two songs, one that is old school and the other, well—new school, are ringing in my head today. Both are about aphesis, pronounced AF-uh-sis. Yes, that’s a Greek word. Now, I don’t claim to be an expert in Greek. But the New Testament was written in Greek, and it is important to understand the original meaning of critical words like this one (aphesis) which was used prominently in Luke 4:18.
“He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty [aphesis] to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty [aphesis] those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18 NKJV).
Aphesis! I am Free!
Old School
I am free! Praise the LORD, I’m free!
No longer bound; no more chains holding me!
My soul is resting; it’s such a blessing!
Praise the LORD, hallelujah, I’m free!
–Percy Bady (Thompson Community Singers)
New School
Hey-yo, one, two, three
Get up, we got victory!
No weapon they throw at me
You know it won’t prosper, naw!
–Kirk Franklin
Jesus proclaimed His mission in Luke 4:18. His mission was aphesis. It means to release; to pardon; to set free. His mission was to set us free from Satan’s bondage! Unlike paresis, which means to pass over or disregard, aphesis means a complete removal of the debt of sin. To do that, He would have to be whipped, ripped, stripped, pierced, and lifted up on a cross to be crucified. Five days after the crowd cheers Him with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna, He permitted them to carry out the most cruel and degrading kind of execution known to humanity in the Roman world. He did it to proclaim liberty to Satan’s captives, you and me! Aphesis! I am free! Praise the LORD, I’m free! No longer bound; no more chains holding me!
Now, as followers of Jesus who have been set free, and not just fans, we must also take up our crosses daily and work to free others who are still under the penalty of death because they have not yet accepted aphesis, the free gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 3:23). Tell somebody, “Hey-yo, 1, 2, 3, Get up we got victory!” Thank God for Aphesis!
Focus Quote: “For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God” (Ephesians 1:7 GNT)).
