John 8:31-36 (NRSV)
Read John 8:31-36 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; Verse 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Verse 33They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" Verse 34Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. Verse 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. Verse 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
Devotion
Our indiscriminate use of the words “truth” and “free” rob them of their power. Oh, how much better our world becomes when we grasp Jesus’s richer and deeper use. He says, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31f).
The saving truth is that Jesus died for sin, for all sin, for yours and the neighbor’s! Continuing in his word of truth – that is, our abiding/living in the gospel – means we live in the actuality that each is a forgiven child of God. As God has set you free from your trespasses, so has he set free your neighbor; you and the neighbor are free, both created anew. All iniquity is forgiven; sin is remembered no more; the slate is clean. Now that is truth and freedom!
Prayer
We give you thanks, almighty, merciful God, for freeing all your children through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.