“Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.” (Gal. 3:23)

Prior to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Jewish world was under the law. Look at the term used to describe “under the law”. It’s imprisoned. Held captive. Slaves to sin and thus to the law without the ability to break free. For generations, the law had been imprisoning Jews using the knowledge of sin to do so. They heard the law, were conscious of sin and realized that sin brought death. The Jewish people knew year after year that sin was not gone. It was counted every day of their lives.  They were yoked with the burden of sin. They needed Jesus.

Strangely enough, the Gentiles needed Jesus too. Paul says they were without God and without hope. Listen to Paul in Ephesians 2:12, “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Everybody needed Jesus and the grace of God.

Before faith in Jesus was possible helplessness and hopelessness were in the world. Mankind could not be saved outside of Jesus and his blood. Before faith, the law and its companion sin reigned. There was no real escape from the penalty of sin itself. But, help was on the way. A promise had been made and it was made by someone who keeps His promises. At just the right moment in earthly time, Jesus appeared bringing peach and forgiveness. At long last, the promise was kept and those without hope were given it. There was a future and it was with God. As the new day dawned so the past faded and the Son of righteousness came into his glory.

Task for Today: Live in the light of revelation. The Christ has come and salvation has been brought down. Grace and truth came with him and they are the beginnings of faith. Put on Christ and live. Open your heart and let the Savior in.