Good morning. John 8:31-38 tells us of a conversation Jesus had with Jews who had come to believe in Him. The conversation begins:
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
When Jesus tells them of the importance of “abiding in His word” He is reminding them that to call Him “Lord” means that they recognize the need to be subject to Him in teaching and commands. It is in that place of humility before the Son of Man that they will find freedom. Their response is nearly comical. For Jews to suggest that they, being children of Abraham, have never been enslaved to anyone is a marvelous example of selective memory. The Jews, as a people, had been enslaved by the Egyptians, the Syrians, the Babylonians, etc., and at that moment were under the thumb of Rome. But pride often speaks when reason remains silent.
Rather than correcting them harshly, Jesus continues with His teaching: Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36
Jesus doesn’t remind them of their current political slavery, He tells them the truth of slavery to an even more difficult master, being slaves to sin.
What Jesus tells them regarding the antidote to such slavery to sin is a powerful truth for them, and for us. It is only when the Son of God sets us free that we will be free indeed.
For healing, and freedom, to occur it must begin with acceptance. We must admit that we are slaves to the ways of sin. Upon such acceptance we must be open to healing. There are many slaves to sin that speak of a desire for freedom, but secretly intend to abide in the clutches of the sin that claims them. When genuine desire for freedom is met with a humble spirit requesting forgiveness through the blood of the Savior, then freedom not only occurs, it means that we are “free indeed”.
Free indeed means that we are free without fear of a return to slavery. Free indeed means that we are free with an understanding that the master of sin no longer has his hold on us. Free indeed means that we now are unencumbered and therefore able to claim the fullness of the presence of God without hindrance.
We are Americans. We have never been slaves to anyone…right? We, as Christians, know the truth (and falsehood) of that statement. We know the need for freedom, and we must also know that being free indeed is but a bended knee and humble prayer away.
Vern