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Jesse Romero
Catholic Author • Radio Host • Evangelist
Jesse Romero

What is the main paradigm of spiritual liberation for the Jewish people?

September 24, 2018
The Exodus

The Exodous from Egypt was undoubtedly the focal point of Israel's self-understanding of their liberation from the bondage of slavery.  The elements are clearly those of a possession and deliverance by the mightly hand of God:

  • A chosen people under severe oppression and in a state of cruel slavery (Israel);
  • A totalitarian overlord (Pharaoh) who knows or cares nothing of the One True God and whose magicians imitate and mock His sanctity;
  • An army of cruel task masters to do the overlord's bidding and cause the people to suffer (the slave drivers building the supply city of Raamses);
  • A holy liberator (Moses) who is sent in to free the people of God from their bondage.

By extension, Jesus is the New Moses sent to liberate His people from bondage, only this time the deliverance was not the physical exodus from a land of slavery, but the definitive spiritual liberation of His people from the devil's power.  His death and Blood freed the new People of God from the oppression of evil by driving the devil out of His Kingdom and bringing.  His people through the waters of Batptism to a new Promised Land, namely heaven.

In a fulfillment of all the Old Testament images, Jesus did for us what no other death or human act could accomplish.  He came the Paschal Lamb that was slain for the sins of His people; He is the new Passover sacrifice celebrated as His people depart the land of slavery; His is the Blood on the doorposts and lintels of His People's hearts guarding them from the angel of death.  He is that destroying angel putting an end to the reign of terror of the evil one.  Finally, on the day of His Resurrection, He became the New Moses who, as he looks upon the vanquished forces of the enemy, sings the final song of victory over evil.

For his reason in the Roman Catholic Good Friday liturgy, the Church "lifts up" the Cross of Christ for all men to see! There is no greater sign of our triumph over the devil and no sign that the devil loathes more than the Sign of the Cross.

By Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, "Exorcism and The Church Militant" page 7.

 

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