On this day in 1215 King John of England signed the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta (“great charter or contract”) is thought to be foundation of liberty for England because it sets out principles of freedom for all the citizens. This official document established for the first time that the power of the king could be limited.

A few hundred years later, the leaders of the American colonies wrote their own charters of liberty: the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution (1787). These documents helped us gain and then keep our freedom.

But many Americans take their freedoms for granted. They love living in a country where we elect our leaders, instead of living under a dictator, yet they don’t vote. They enjoy all the services that the government provides but complain about taxes and may even cheat on them. They appreciate being able to say whatever they like but may try to keep others from speaking different opinions. And they know that freedom of religion is important yet sleep in on Sunday.

All these freedoms are key, but more important is being free on the inside. When Jesus lived on earth, Palestine was far from free. The powerful and cruel Roman Emperor ruled the land. Yet Jesus spoke to his followers and the crowds about being “truly free.” He wasn’t talking about throwing off the Romans or any other earthly ruler. He meant being free from the slavery of sin and death. And he promised that all who believed in him would be released from the worst kind of oppression.

Today, in our country as we enjoy all the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution’s Bill of Rights, we can still be enslaved and oppressed. We need the freedom that only comes through Christ—forgiveness, eternal life, and the ability to live God’s way.

Celebrate freedom—your “Magna Carta” in Christ.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.” (John 8:36)

To Do

Take out a sheet of paper. On one side, list the freedoms you enjoy because you live in this country. On the other side, list the freedoms you enjoy as one of God’s people. Then spend time thanking God for all your freedoms, one by one.

Also on this day . . .

This is Independence Day in Iceland.

1703—John Wesley was born.

1885—Speaking of “liberty,” the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).