God Pause Thursday, 10/24/2013 John 8:31-36 (NRSV) Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. 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? Jesus answered them, Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. A Point to Ponder Its easy to be on board with Jesus when he talks about bringing water to the thirsty and food to the hungry. We even understand when he says he is light to those in the darkness. But what is this talk about setting us free? We are Americans, we cry out, we are not slaves to anyone! What Jesus is saying here makes about as much sense as it does for us to sell air conditioners to residents of Fairbanks, Alaska! In the land of the free, we proudly boast that we are free to do it my way. Yet we regularly gather in worship and confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We are bound in a way that compels us to say no to God, it seems. We are bound in a way that keeps us from taking God at Gods word. Without Gods true freedom all other freedoms are as meaningful as an air conditioner in Alaska. Prayer Lord God, Heavenly Father, thank you for setting us free, truly free, even when we protest we are already free. Help me to hear and live into your word of freedom, and to find life, true life, in it. Amen. Brian Mundt Interim Pastor, Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, Ramsey, Minn., Master of Divinity, 1999, Doctor of Ministry, 2009, Luther Seminary, 2013
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 12:01:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015