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
What if? What if we really are saying something with our Reformation celebration? What if the truth of life is that you and I are in bondage and that Jesus Christ is the One who sets us free? What if?
Look at our world. We see people bound by hunger, poverty, sickness, civil war and violence. Look at our culture. We see people enslaved by the confusion, manipulation and emptiness of a powerful socio-economic culture. Look at us. We see how sometimes it is easier to see the bondage of others than to recognize our own.
The idea of being a “slave to sin” is resisted. Being in bondage is not the image to be conveyed – especially since we are powerless to free ourselves.
What if? What if we really are saying something with the incredible message of the Gospel? Then we have something to celebrate and proclaim!
Prayer
O God, reform our commitments and give us a commitment to reform in the ways of your grace and power. Amen.