John 8:31-36
31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you continue in my
word, you are truly my disciples;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
33 They 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'?"
34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin
is a slave to sin.
35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a
place there forever.
36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
What does it mean to be free in a world of sin? We have people enslaved in poverty. We have people caught in war and violence. We have people trapped in depression.
First thoughts--We receive new members on Reformation Sunday. So far I see the shadows behind the light in this text. We'll see what comes up by Sunday.
Michelle
Michelle,
That is a good question, you could add abusive relationships, unions that god-fearing people will not recognize, flag waving racism, and on and on. To me that is where the word continue comes in. We perhaps only catch a glimpse of that freedom that is to come, when we don't know exactly, we know freedom is coming but sin still rules, or at least rears its ugly head.
We too take in new members Sunday, perhaps an honest apology that we the church aren't perfect but we are striving, working, lusting, and continuing on in hopes of that ultimate freedom that is promised and in which we place our confident trust and hope!
P Bob in SC
Hi all.
If I may be allowed to parphrase...
And the Protestants said, "We are descendants of Paul and Luther and Calvin and Simons and Cranmer and the other Reformers, and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"
And the Catholics said, "We are descendants of Peter and Ignatius and Augustine and Leo the Great and Aquinas and Loyola and Paul XXIII, and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"
And the (fill in the blank) said, "We are descendants of (fill in the blanks) and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"
Perhaps this Reformation Day we can get off our self-congratulatory high-horse. Perhaps we can try to avoid singing songs about how glorious it is to be right. Perhaps this year we can ALL shut up!
... and listen to Jesus.
Rick in Canada, eh?
Part of the power of the Reformation was that the Word of God was given to the people. The Word of God is not for the elite, but for all. It certainly wasn't written by the elite. Much of the New Testament may have been written by a scholar (Paul) but he was also a murderer. Luke was a scholar but not a theologian - he was an historian and doctor but not one who was present with Jesus through his lifetime. John was a fisherman.
The Bible is for us all and Christ begins this passage by inviting us to "continue in my word" and thereby being "truly my disciples." We are made disciples through the Word of Christ, not of Augustine, Luther, or whomever (however good their words may be).
Through the Word of Christ, we are made
1) Followers - truly my disciples (31)
2) Free - the truth (of Christ's Word) shall set you free (32)
3) Family - the son has a place (in the household) forever (v. 35)
Yes, the Baptist 3-point guy is back.
JG in WI
Rick in Canad, eh? said, "Perhaps this year we can ALL shut up! ... and listen to Jesus."
I believe Jesus speaks today ... through people. When we all shut up, the voice of Jesus becomes silent as well, except through actions. Jesus speaks through the pages of the Scripture, and through Augustine, Luther, Aquinas, Paul, you, and me. Jesus speaks through the four-year-old who says, "Jesus loves me!" with a grin bigger than one could imagine. Jesus speaks through the dying elder, who says, "I'm ready."
Yes, there are times when I must maintain quietude, and listen. But I cannot remain "shut up," for I am called to speak the word of Jesus. As Paul said, "How are they to hear, if there is no one to preach?" (from memory, so excuse me if I have jumbled translations)
Let the power of God's Word Reign!
Michelle
Wow! Great discussion even though only a few have
written on this page. I like what both Rick and
Michelle are saying. Perhaps that could be a
good dialogue sermon. Hmmmmmm......I could use
two voices......I could turn my face one way for
Rick and another for Michelle. This could be
lots of fun!! Keep it coming!!!!!
SW Ohio guy
Something deep is echoing in my thoughts here about the word "redemption" and this text re: freedom.
Ruth was redeemed by Boaz. Other brothers 'redeemed' the late brothers wives as well.
Slaves were redeemed by paying a price. Perhaps Zaccheus was redeemed by paying back four fold what he had stolen?
Hosea redeemed his wayward wife Gomer time after time.
God redeemed Israel ought of bondage in Egypt...
Then the concept of redemption gets BIGGER and more theological. Redemption takes on the meaning on freedom from Sin and Death through the Atonement of the Cross...
Freedom??? Slavery??? Redemption??? Anybody?
Jim Dennis
Bamberg
