Isaiah 61:1 English Standard Version (ESV) he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;^{[blindfolded]}

Continuing where we left off it is time to address the other issues presented.

We know that only the Lord captivates the heart of the lost but the words are given here to “me” which is a personal activity. Binding up of those who were imprisoned is a matter of us, as a church, the bride of Christ, to provide a safe place, a sanctuary.

Exodus 15:17 English Standard Version (ESV) You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

Once again we must emphasize the establishment of what the Lord created, not that which man has built.

We cannot offer sanctuary to anyone if we do not abide there ourselves.

Proclaiming liberty does not set a prisoner free. It only gives them the key to the door and it is up to them to put that key in the door and leave their prison behind. Jesus is at the door and faith is the key.

Revelation 3:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

It is sin that has held them captive.

Romans 7:23 English Standard Version (ESV) but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

When those blindfolds are removed and the captives see the light for the first time there is the instinct to cover their eyes because of the brightness of the light. That is an instinctive reaction of the flesh. The flesh still wants to protect itself from the truth.