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
We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. Those who question Jesus on this matter of slavery seem to have forgotten their past. We also often make that same mistake. The assumption that freedom is without limit fails to recall the past we prefer to ignore, but our confession brings that image of enslavement back to mind: "We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves."
I often feel held back, limited by my abilities, trapped by circumstances of time and energy, unable to respond freely because of the constraints I feel. I confess that sometimes I use that as an excuse. But our Lord's call is that we "continue" in the word, that we step out in faith, that we follow where the Lord leads and that we live into the truth that is freeing us for a purpose we can barely begin to imagine.
Prayer
May your strong word set us free so that we may be ready, willing and able to respond to you and to those who need us most; through Jesus Christ, our liberating Lord. Amen.