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A Christmas Carol?
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“And now do not carry on as scoffers, or your fetters will be made stronger…” Isaiah 28:22a (NASB)
This is a grand time of the year for many reasons, too numerous to name. However, there is one quirky thing I look forward to right about this time. It is the movie based on Charles Dickens, “The Christmas Carol.” I have even made it a priority to buy and read the book.
I love that movie! I have seen nearly every version filmed. My favorite is the remake starring George C. Scott, followed by the old black and white original and a close third is the version featuring Patrick Stewart. It is a literary masterpiece in my estimation and it provokes an interesting theory deep in the recesses of my mind. Should one be inclined to live out the night with Scrooge and his spirited visitors, one might find some spiritual principles worth incorporating in life. A unique theory considering it is a work of fiction.
Then one day, I came across a rather curious verse of Scripture. I have labeled it the “Jacob Marley” verse. How exciting for me to explain! If you remember correctly, in the opening scenes of “The Christmas Carol”, we see Scrooge exasperated on the eve of Christmas. He curmudgeonly returns to his home where eerie happenings await him. During the early evening, Old Sourpuss is visited by the ghost of his old “partner in crime”. Jacob Marley appears resembling a ragamuffin and fettered by a multitude of chains. Scrooge makes the mistake of inquiring about the heavy metal and receives a warning straight from the grave: THE CHAINS YOU HAVE FORGED IN LIFE WERE AS LENGHTY AS THESE SEVEN YEARS AGO. (Shiver)
Back to Isaiah 28:22. Here Isaiah is relaying some heavy proclamations of God’s own to Samaria. I am not prepared to deal with the details of this chapter today. However, isn’t it interesting that God would warn people to not scoff at Him, lest their own fetters be made stronger?
Now please do not run down the aisle of your church announcing that I am equating any real spiritual significance with a time honored holiday movie, or that I am promoting the idea of actual Jacob Marleys roaming the misty veil and visiting the unsuspecting Scrooges of the world. If such deeds did occur, I surmise revival would result tout suite! I might add, starting with me. I ask only this, what fetters bind you today? What might be the length of your chains? While I do not believe in ghoulish ghosts roaming to and fro, I do believe in spiritual bondage – I have first hand experience.
The chains of our spiritual bondage tighten at every choice made apart from God and against God’s will for our life. Some of us find the grasp of these binding chains unrelenting. Why? There are many reasons. Can you think of a few? Perhaps, it is simply because we refuse to let them go. Maybe no one has ever told you that you can let them go! Beloved, I am here to tell you that it is very possible to toss aside all that entangles you. It’s possible because God has given us the key! His name is Jesus.
As we approach this sanctified season, where hearts joyously celebrate the birth of the King, who came to set the prisoner free, where do you find yourself? Do you find yourself fettered by mistakes, past or present? Are you shackled by sin? Could you be bound by bitterness?
Do not despair my beloved – regardless of the severity of your answer! Jesus lived, died and lives again to set you free from the chains that entangle you! He came, not as a “Marley” to tell you about your chains, but to wear them for you! He wore them to Calvary and dropped them forever in a pool of holy and redemptive blood. So, place your heart in His hands and don’t wait until Christmas Day (or worse, never!) to throw open the window and proclaim, “The Holy Spirit did it ALL in one day - on Calvary - and I have not missed Christmas!”
Unfettered and free,
Barbara
Ministry Partner/Pocket Full of Change
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