“If you remain in my word,
you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8:31-32)
Jesus’ is our Savior who can free us from the bondage of sin. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin that needs deliverance. If Jesus sets you free, you will be truly free. Spiritual freedom comes from knowing the truth.
The liberating power of truth and the spiritual freedom comes from a relationship with Jesus. True disciples are those who abide in His word not just by hearing but living according to God’s teachings.
These lessons encourage us to live out God’s teachings, seek the truth, understand the implications of sin, recognize Jesus as our Savior, let our actions reflect our spiritual lineage, and love Jesus as the Son of God.
In the bondage of sin, we're often caught,
But Jesus, our Savior, salvation has brought.
Everyone who sins, a slave they become,
Yet deliverance awaits under the holy kingdom.
"If Jesus sets you free, you will truly be free,"
A promise of liberation, for you and for me.
Spiritual freedom comes from truth's embrace,
A relationship with Jesus, a state of grace.
True disciples abide in His word, so divine,
Not just by hearing, but by design.
Living according to God's teachings, we strive,
In His love and wisdom, we thrive.
These lessons encourage us, in faith to be bold,
To seek the truth, His love to behold.
Understand sin's implications, recognize His grace,
See Jesus as our Savior, in every place.
Let our actions reflect our spiritual lineage clear,
In loving Jesus, the Son of God, we hold dear.
In every word, in every deed,
We plant His love, we sow His seed.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are our Savior, the One who frees us from the bondage of sin. We acknowledge that everyone who sins is a slave to sin, and we all need Your deliverance. If You, Jesus, set us free, we will be truly free.
We seek the spiritual freedom that comes from knowing the truth, the liberating power of truth that comes from a relationship with You. Help us to be true disciples, those who abide in Your word, not just by hearing, but by living according to Your teachings. These lessons encourage us to live out Your teachings, to seek the truth, and to understand the implications of sin.
We recognize You, Jesus, as our Savior, and we strive to let our actions reflect our spiritual lineage. Help us to love You, Jesus, as the Son of God, and to express that love in all that we do.
In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope
II: The Book of Signs
JESUS AND ABRAHAM
John 8:31-59
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.
Gospel | John 8:31-42
31 Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. 36 So if a Son frees you, then you will truly be free. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. 38 I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.” 39 They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. 41 You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We are not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
Learning Lessons:
True Discipleship: Jesus emphasizes that true disciples are those who abide in His word. This teaches us the importance of not just hearing, but living according to God’s teachings.
The Truth Will Set You Free: Jesus speaks of a spiritual freedom that comes from knowing the truth. This underscores the liberating power of truth and the spiritual freedom that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
Sin Leads to Slavery: Jesus explains that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. This highlights the destructive power of sin and the need for deliverance.
The Son Sets Free: Jesus declares that if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free. This points to Jesus’ unique role as our Savior who can free us from the bondage of sin.
Actions Reflect Lineage: Jesus challenges the Jews’ claim of being Abraham’s descendants, stating that if they were, they would act like Abraham. This teaches us that spiritual lineage is reflected in our actions, not just our claims.
God’s Love: Jesus says that if God were their Father, they would love Him. This reminds us that love for Jesus is a natural response for those who know God as their Father.
These lessons encourage us to live out God’s teachings, seek the truth, understand the implications of sin, recognize Jesus as our Savior, let our actions reflect our spiritual lineage, and love Jesus as the Son of God.
Background:
This is from the Book of John in the Bible, specifically John 8:31-42. It recounts a dialogue between Jesus and the Jews who believed in Him.
In this passage, Jesus is teaching about spiritual freedom and the nature of true discipleship. He tells the Jews that if they remain in His word, they will truly be His disciples and they will know the truth, which will set them free. The Jews, considering their physical lineage to Abraham, question how they can be set free when they have never been enslaved. Jesus clarifies that anyone who sins is a slave to sin, and only the Son (referring to Himself) can truly set them free.
Jesus also challenges their claim of being Abraham’s descendants by stating that if they were truly Abraham’s children, they would act as Abraham did. Instead, they are trying to kill Him for speaking the truth He heard from God, something Abraham would not do. Jesus concludes by saying that if God were their Father, they would love Him, for He came from God.
This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual freedom, the implications of sin, and the significance of one’s actions in demonstrating their spiritual lineage.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
Published:
March 20. 2024, 11:40 AM
