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Thursday, June 21, 2007
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” ~ Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)Over the last couple of days I was reading through Hebrews. As I was reading the passages of our High Priest, I was reminded of a story from my childhood—a true story. Many of you know that I grew up in Germany—a divided Germany. In 1975 our class took a trip to Berlin. As we visited all the touristy places in Western Berlin (the free side), we ended up at the Elbe River. The Elbe River had a dark history. You see, Berlin was divided between England, France, the US and Russia. People living in the English, French and US sections lived as free people. Not so the people in the Russian sector. Many people tried to swim across the Elbe River to reach the free sections of Berlin. The bad  part was that the river was saturated with mines. Many lost their lives trying to reach freedom. I remember standing in front of all the crosses that were erected on the free side in memory of all the lost lives. I was devastated—a little too much for a 14-year-old girl.On our return home, I told my parents how deeply this visit had affected me. Before my dad became a police officer, he served as a border guard between the two Germanys—at one time in Berlin. He told me the story of a young man who tried to cross over to the free sector. The young man got shot right before he reached the free sector—right before the eyes of my dad. You can imagine how this affected my dad. He told me that he sometimes could still see the young man’s face, reaching out for him, reaching for freedom… “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” ~ Romans 8:1-4 (ESV)My sweet sisters, Christ set us free from sin and death. He gave us the freedom we were reaching for—freedom in Him. Freedom is always costly. We are blessed that Christ paid the price for us. Let us share the good news with all the ones who are ready to listen. “Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for shedding Your precious blood in order for us to be free. Help us to never forget how costly this freedom was for You. Open our mouths to reach the ones who have not experienced Your love. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen”  You can also find me at my personal blog Sting My Heart Labels: Freedom, Iris's Articles
Comments:
This is powerful! Thank you for sharing this powerful story with us today, and a great reminder of the freedoms we take for granted.
Praise God he has set me free no matter what happens here on earth. Makes me think of the Christians right now in Gaza that are being tortured and killed because of their beliefs. Blessings.
Dear Iris,
What a beautiful post illustrating the power of freedom and Christ. Thank you . In his endless love, Angel (Pearls of Wisdom)
Iris,
I think of the beautiful song "Christ paid much to high a price" Our freedom is costly but oh so precious. This was a beautiful post, I thought back to my testimony and all I had to endure as a child, and how God made a way for me as well and makes me so grateful that I am a child of the King! Blessings Iris!
my friend,
thank you for sharing this. i think most in my generation -- growing up in canada do not really understand the cost some have gone through for freedoms sake. it hit my heart really deeply.... shalom and love to you....
Wow. I'm stunned, but in a good way. Thank you for this incredible post. The reminder was all too important. I remember being a sophomore in college when the Berlin wall came down...
Thank your for sharing such a touching part of your history and relating it to all of our present.
God bless
Thank you dear Iris for sharing this part of your past with us. It is not a post I will soon forget. Be Blessed...
I think the reason I am so intrigued with the book Night by E. Weisel.. if spelled correctly.. and the book of the Holocost.. has to do with how much freedom does cost...
And then there is the Bible.. and the life of Christ... Wars that rage on... and we still take it for granted.. We throw the name of Christ around like old dish water in our mouth read to spit out... why...?? it grieves me so... One day, we will all stand before Christ.. but only briefly..because in moments we will drop to our knees in awe of who He really is.. believer and nonbeliever.. AWESOME post... and thank you for reminding us of what freedom cost. blessings oh blessings....
What a powerful image of that young man reaching out to your father to be free. Wow.
Thanks for sharing, Iris! Blessings~
Thank you for sharing this very touching story, Iris. We here in American so often take for granted the freedoms we have! We as christians often do the same!
Have a great weekend! Deedra
Oh Iris.....
I have tears in my eyes. I can see this story in living color. I feel the pain of your father. Our freedoms are vast because our Savior is vast. I cannot begin to comprehend it. I do know I love Him all the more intensely when I think of the freedoms He willingly gives. Reading this post also reminds me of many who gave all who continue to give for the freedoms of our country. I pray for them often. Love you Iris, Thank you.
Wow...I'm speechless...What a powerful visual.
It also is a reminder to me of how many are right on the banks and our responsibility to pull them to shore... As usual, i loved this Iris! :) Lisa
Iris, that is such a powerful illustration of the priceless treasure we have in our freedom in Christ. He has given us so very much. We sometimes take for granted that freedom, but it cost the Lord everything. Thank you for reminding us in such an amazing way.
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