So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,
you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set
you free.” “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered Him, “and
we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will become
free’?”
Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain
forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” John 8:31-
36 (HCSB)
Jesus told them things they did not want to hear, he cut them with the truth, he
confronted their sinfulness, he shone light on their self-deception. Some believed,
but most were offended, incensed, angry. So much so they didn’t even consider
the merits of what Jesus was saying. They didn’t want to deal with their own
darkness, they didn’t care for being called children of the devil (even though their
thoughts and actions confirmed that they were), they didn’t like being identified
as slaves of sin, and they wouldn’t hear of Jesus being divine.
If Jesus would have preached a different sermon, one that affirmed their heritage,
their historical standing as beacons of liberty, their love for law, their being a
divine example of righteousness in a messed up world, and how God would
reward them for all that they were, if Jesus would have preached a sermon like
that they surely would not have picked up stones to silence him. In all likelihood
they would have applauded and cheered. However, as it was, they rejected him,
his message, the truth, God.
A week from now there will be fireworks, speeches, parades, new specials as
Americans celebrate the birth of the United States as a nation of liberty, the
land of the free. And free we are in so many ways, especially when compared
to others. But how do we respond to Jesus’ words recorded in John 8 if we take
them as being addressed to us (which they are)? What is that we don’t want to
hear? Could we change the above reply of “We are descendants of Abraham,”
to “We are Americans, sons and daughters of liberty?”
They were lying to themselves, they claimed freedom although the Romans ruled
the land, they claimed righteousness although their actions proved the opposite,
they claimed enlightenment although they daily complicated and twisted the
law to the point of the ridiculous, they claimed being spiritual although they
were unable to recognize God’s Son, Jesus Christ. So they were quick to pick up
stones, just as we are, the moment they were confronted with the truth. Try
being a politician and confront the party line with the truth. Try academia and
entertain the truth of the divine in your research. Join a gang and confront the
senselessness. Raise the notion of sowing and reaping, of being responsible to
God in regard to our political decisions in the public square. Confront the idol of
greed worshipped in our culture. Publicly stand for defining morality according
to God’s Word. Preach inherent human sinfulness (as Jesus did) and that only he
(not religious tolerance) can set you free. Do any of these and watch how quickly
stones are picked up and used.
And then Jesus was also talking to each one of them individually. What is it that
I, you don’t want to hear. What is my, your sinfulness? What prompts me, you to
walk in the devil’s footsteps? What causes me, you to respond to these words of
Jesus negatively? What keeps me, you from believing him, and in him?
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that
you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and
destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love;
that's how freedom grows. Galatians 5:13 (MSG)
To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans