“You [Jacob Marley’s ghost] are fettered,” said Scrooge trembling. “Tell me why?”
“I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it…My spirit never walked beyond our countinghouse—mark me—in life my spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole.” (Dickens, A Christmas Carol)
“But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, he tells them what they have done- that they have sinned arrogantly.” (Job 36:8-9)
“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.” (Ps. 107:13-15)
“O LORD, truly I am your servant…you have freed me from my chains.” (Ps. 116:16)
Jacob Marley’s ghost should remind us of a solemn truth: the weight of our chains, our sin, our afflictions, our transgressions. The chains we rightfully ought to bear. But, the believer has a hope glimmering beyond Jacob Marley’s regretful lament. The Christian can rejoice that: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:1-2) Chains are broken! We are freed! We do not bear the crushing weight of our iniquities this Christmas, nor any Christmas for that matter. Breathe in the cool, crisp air of freedom this holiday season, and let us “give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.”
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