6 Ways Jesus Wants To Help Our Trauma. Only 6? In my first article, I shared that an earlier Google search of the term trauma yielded 1,780,000 results. However, by reading from a highly-respected doctor, we’ll discover the 6 primary ways that trauma affects a person. We will also see God’s immense grace for those trying their best to cope. So far, in my previous articles, we examined trauma as an emotional pandemic. We also discussed the meaning of trauma and PTSD. Finally, we asked if God could “fix” our trauma and how that works. This article will tighten the microscope a little to see how God’s grace and power can help.
In the New Testament, a man called Luke (Loukâs or Lucas) appears to be a significant person in the early days of Christianity. He is the author of 2 New Testament books. The first book – bearing the author’s name (Luke) – is full of eyewitness accounts from the birth of Jesus to His ascension to Heaven. His second book – Acts of the Apostles – provides a direct account of the first apostles (formerly the disciples of Jesus) and the early days of the Church. Those 2 books comprise 27% of the New Testament, more than any other contributor.
Luke 1:1-4 tells why he wrote the book of Luke.
The Bible tells us several important things about Luke. From Philemon 1:24, Colossians 4:10-11.14, & 2 Corinthians 8:18, we know that Luke is a:
- A Greek
- Physician, and
- Ministry companion of Paul
From the sophistication of his Greek writing style, it’s apparent that he is:
- A highly-educated
- Researcher,
- Historian, and
- Author.
As such, Luke used 3 primary resources to gather his information
- His own experiences,
- Written sources, and
- Listening to eyewitnesses who were personally involved.
Image Credit: InterVarsity Press
Luke’s writing reveals the power of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Jesus.
In Luke chapters 3 and 4, he wrote that:
- The “Holy Spirit descended upon Him (Jesus) “in bodily form like a dove.”
- Next, Luke said that Jesus was “led by the Spirit” when He went into the wilderness for 40 days.
- He also said that Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” following his time in the wilderness. Luke’s writing reveals the power of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Jesus.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me Because He has anointed Me.”
Today, we use the term anointing to mean a variety of things. However, it is when oil is smeared or poured on someone. In the Old Testament, we read about prophets who anointed kings in that way. It signifies two things; assignment and authority. In this passage of scripture, Jesus came back to his hometown from his time of wilderness testing. He went to the synagogue, and picked up a scroll that contained the prophecies of Isaiah. Many of those prophecies told of a promised king (messiah) who would one day manifest. He would come with purpose and power to liberate Israel from bondage. Jesus read this promise to announce that he was the promised liberator. He had an assignment and the authority to do six things.
First, to preach the good news (gospel) to the poor.
In organized religion, as in politics, people with money and influence usually make their way to the top, one way or another. When the Jewish people read the prophecies about the coming Messiah, they imagined a man who would raise an army to liberate them from their oppressors. However, Jesus had a different assignment – to proclaim good news to the poor. Jesus started at the back of the line. If you’ve ever been without resources, you know that poor means poor. But when you’re out of resources and options, you are destitute. This can mean financial poverty as well as spiritual poverty. Some people do not believe that that God wants Christians to reach out to those in need. They are not in favor of what is called, the social gospel. I think this verse makes it clear that Jesus’ assignment not only included the poor, but it began with the poor. The good news of Jesus to poor people is that they are first in line to receive hope, love, life, and, undoubtedly, material goods. “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16).
Next, Jesus’ assignment was to heal the brokenhearted.
If you’ve ever been heartbroken, nobody had to tell you; it’s deeply felt. In this context, there is little doubt regarding its impact. The meaning in the original text is “To break by crushing, break in pieces, shatter, crush, bruise – literally in the heart; mind, character, inner self, will, intention, center.” Many people who have faced traumatic experiences have experienced this sort of emotional breakdown. I’m not suggesting that all who experience trauma will also suffer a broken heart. However, many do, and for them, Jesus has the authority to heal. It’s a spiritual renewal.
Jesus also came to proclaim liberty to the captives.
Spiritual warfare is a term often applied to the struggles we face. People of faith often wonder if the troubles they face have come from Satan or demonic powers. There is a reason that Peter wrote, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8 NASB). We also know that temptation is a state of existence that a person can enter (Matthew 26:41) by yielding to evil desires (James 1:14). There are many forms of addiction. Some of them are very difficult to break. Some are nearly impossible. Some have the power to take or ruin a life. But rest assured, Jesus has the power to set spiritual captives free.
Recovery of sight to the blind.
This is a reference to both spiritual and physical sight. The Bible records stories of both, and it still happens. The following story appeared in the May 18, 2020 edition of The Christian Post: “A Baptist woman diagnosed with incurable juvenile macular degeneration that left her legally blind for 13 years instantly regained her sight after her pastor husband laid hands on her and prayed for a miracle, a recent study from The Global Medical Research Institute explains.” (2020, May 18) Woman blind for 13 years healed instantly by husband’s intercessory prayer, study says, The Christian Post, https://www.christianpost.com/news/woman-blind-for-13-years-healed-instantly-by-husbands-intercessory-prayer-study-says.html.
Next, Jesus has the authority to release the oppressed.
The original Greek word for release is a form of the term used for the apostles. In this case, it refers to Jesus having the authority to send. Just like Jesus sent the apostles, He can also send the oppressed out of the hands of the oppressor. In Acts 10, Luke records Peter’s sermon to a Roman centurion named Cornelius. In verse 38, Peter said, “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Finally, Jesus has full authority to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
If this is your first time reading this scripture, you may wonder what the acceptable year is. Well, it’s not a calendar year but rather an extended period. Jesus most likely referred to the Hebrew year of Jubilee. Every 50 years, God instituted 1 year period when slave owners freed their slaves, lenders forgave debts, original landowners reclaimed their land, and the farmers allowed the ground to rest by not planting crops. Imagine if we all could enjoy a year of jubilee! Well, what Jesus offers is better! By using Jubilee as a reference, He proclaimed that everyone was welcome to come to him and receive forgiveness of sins and true soul freedom.
It helps to see many scripture stories as depictions of traumatized people.
Jesus was born to deliver people from the ongoing effects of their trauma. In Bible times, it was a common notion that if you were suffering, it was because you had sinned. For that reason, town authorities designated specific areas for certain diseases. When Jesus announced His ministry that day in the synagogue, He proclaimed that He had the assignment and the authority to free hurting people from mistreatment by oppressors. He also announced His purpose to release those enslaved by demonic powers. Jesus brought those who were last in line, up to the front. By doing so, He liberated the oppressed into a world where they mattered to God and one another. Jesus’ assignment and authority have not changed. His heart is still for the poor, the oppressed, and the hurting.
(This article references the poor, the blind, slaves, prisoners, and the oppressed. The author has borrowed these references from the Bible and literature and does not intend to use such descriptions in a negative light).
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