As we read Scripture, we constantly encounter freedom, or versions of it. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent tempted Adam and Eve with the power to be like God - to have freedom to choose. Yet rather than liberty, they found they were held in bondage by sin, and separated from God. Later we find the people of Israel struggling as slaves in Egypt. The message of God through Moses was freedom. The Passover brought Israel out of the land, and on the road to the Promised Land. They were free!

I’m sensing something of their excitement at being free tonight. The exams have finished, at least for another year. The hard work has been done, the summer lies open before me for relaxation. It’s nice knowing you don’t have to go over those notes again, trying to cram information into your head. Now I can look forward to Summer Madness and my Romania mission trip.

Have you known that sense of liberation that Jesus offers in the gospel? We don’t have to be in bondage to our sins any more - Jesus has borne the burden of them. He offers us freedom and release. The choice is yours.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. - Luke 4:18-19

So here goes with my first posting on the new Cathedral website. I’m taking it easy tonight as the next two weeks will be hectic. Our exams start on Monday morning and continue until 31st May. Three hours of writing, answering four questions in each exam. The notes have been made, the topics researched, and the pens are ready. Time for anxiety?

Thankfully not. The other Sunday night I was down in Annalong speaking at their Youth Fellowship, and one of their members shared a few verses from Matthew to remind us of our Father’s care:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)