“Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.” (Psalm 129:3-4 NIV)
Jesus cuts wicked cords. Plowmen, in today’s verse, are the masters. The long furrows are a metaphor for harsh treatment. I think of Jesus’ whipped back before the crucifixion (cf. Matt 20:19; 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1). “The Passion of the Christ” exemplified Jesus’ beating in a way I will never forget. The sight of His bloody back is not easily forgotten. Knowing He endured the torture for me is beyond humbling. But the Lord cuts us free from the cords. Jesus endured so we wouldn’t. He took the beating we deserved. And when He cried out, “It is finished!”, He finished it for all of us (John 29:30 NIV).
Jesus cuts wicked cords.
Cords hold us captive. When they are whipping our backs, we can’t move. To cut free from them, we must first understand what the cords are. Beloved author Beth Moore describes what holds Christ followers captive:
“A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for him or her.”
― Beth Moore, Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender
Our cords are what keep us from enjoying our lives. Those things that control us instead of us controlling them. Reese’s Peanut butter cups have the ability to control me. If I have a bag of them in the pantry, it doesn’t last long. Once I start eating them, I keep eating them until they are all gone. Thus, I have cut the cord by no longer buying bags of them.
The term, “cut the cord,” originates from the phrase, “Cut the umbilical cord.” The umbilical cord is what connects a mother and child before birth. The first thing that happens at birth, someone cuts the cord. In some regards, Jesus cut the umbilical cord of sin in our lives. He gave us a way out we desperately needed.
Just like a newborn baby can’t cut the cord, Jesus knows we can’t either. We need His help to resist the temptations in our life. Without His wisdom and truth in my life, I wouldn’t admit I eat all the Reese’s cups. But if I don’t admit I eat them, I can’t gain control over them. I have to do the hard work to understand why I can’t have just one. Jesus helps me find the answers. But only if I accept His truth.
In order for Jesus to cut the cords, we have to submit to Him. We have to admit we are powerless over the sin in our lives. Only through Him can we find complete victory. Jesus cuts the wicked cords.
Question of the Day:
What cords do you need Jesus to cut for you?
Further Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-66 NIV, Acts 7:51-8:13 NIV, Psalm 129:1-8 NIV, Proverbs 17:1 NIV
