John 8:31-38
“You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” It has the ring of a political slogan, hasn’t it?
Jesus was up at Jerusalem for the Feast of Shelters, one of the great pilgrimage festivals. He is teaching and of course folk are really curious about this preacher from up the hill country. Believing in Him (He says) would set them free because in Him was the truth (the way and the life). What is Jesus stating? He is telling them that they have become prisoners of their own wants, desires, lusts, ambition all the things that mar the beauty of humanity and that the only way to break free of this is to have faith in Him, his teaching about the Kingdom of God and the way of life God intended for his people. In this way will they change and society with them.
The modern addict (whatever the addiction) will tell you he/she can quit anytime they want. Many fail because they can’t, the addiction (sin) has taken over and they can’t free themselves of its destructive power. In the life of Jesus, following faithfully, we break the power of sin to hold us prisoner to our destructive lifestyle.
Heavy stuff because breaking free is not easy, neither is it something that can be brought about without the person really wanting that freedom – and that is so hard.
“You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” It has the ring of a political slogan, hasn’t it?
Jesus was up at Jerusalem for the Feast of Shelters, one of the great pilgrimage festivals. He is teaching and of course folk are really curious about this preacher from up the hill country. Believing in Him (He says) would set them free because in Him was the truth (the way and the life). What is Jesus stating? He is telling them that they have become prisoners of their own wants, desires, lusts, ambition all the things that mar the beauty of humanity and that the only way to break free of this is to have faith in Him, his teaching about the Kingdom of God and the way of life God intended for his people. In this way will they change and society with them.
The modern addict (whatever the addiction) will tell you he/she can quit anytime they want. Many fail because they can’t, the addiction (sin) has taken over and they can’t free themselves of its destructive power. In the life of Jesus, following faithfully, we break the power of sin to hold us prisoner to our destructive lifestyle.
Heavy stuff because breaking free is not easy, neither is it something that can be brought about without the person really wanting that freedom – and that is so hard.