The Gospel of John: John 8.31-47

Read and meditate on John 8.34-36.
Jesus did not explain what He meant by being free, except by contrasting it with slavery to sin. Remember: Jesus knows all people. He knows when anyone is enslaved to anything, and He knows that those who are enslaved to anything would prefer to be free.

                                                     ³⁴He explained,
“I tell you, anyone who sins remains
a slave of sin. ³⁵No slave abides within
the house forever, but a son dwells in
the house. ³⁶So if the Son shall make you free,
you shall be free indeed.”

- John 8.34-36

Reflect
1.  What does it mean to be a “slave to sin”? How does truth set us free from this?Complete this prayer: Lord, search me: If You find that I am a slave to any sin, please…

2.  Jesus contrasted “free indeed” with “slave of sin.” How would you explain “free indeed” to someone with whom you were sharing the Gospel? How have you experienced “free indeed”? Lord, I cherish the freedom I have in You. Keep me from…

3.  Jesus contrasted “slave” with “son” in verse 35. What seems to be the point of this comparison? What place did “dwelling in the house” have in the religion of the Jews (cf. Pss. 15, 23)? Lord, who may dwell in Your presence? And how? And with what expectations? Today, Lord, let me dwell with You continuously, so that…

4.  How does the Son of God make us “free indeed” and transform us from being “slaves” with no place in the house to “sons” who dwell in the house of the Lord forever? How did you come to be free indeed? Thank You, Lord, that You have set me free, so that I…

5.  Jesus continues to provoke those who hear Him. He seems to be making it harder to be a disciple rather than easier. Explain. What’s the lesson here for us? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“The power to set free belongs to none other than the one who is the Son by nature—one who is truly free and unconstrained by any bondage. Because he is wisdom and light and power by nature, he makes those who are ignorant wise. He enlightens those in darkness, and he strengthens those who are weak. Therefore, because he is God of God and the genuine and free fruit of the essence that reigns over all, he bestows freedom on whomever he wants to. For no one can become truly free at the hands of one who does not possess freedom by nature. But, when the Son himself wills to free anyone, infusing his own good [into them], they are called free indeed. They receive dignity from the one who possesses authority and not from any of those who have borrowed it from another or those who have been ennobled, as it were, with a grace that was not theirs to begin with.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

Free indeed means slaves to sin no more, and children enjoying the pleasures of the house and presence of God. If you are free indeed, give thanks to the Son, Who set you free, and tell someone today about your freedom and what it means to you.

Closing Prayer
I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.
Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
And I will declare Your greatness.
They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
And shall sing of Your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The LORD is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
And Your saints shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.

Psalm 145.1-12

Psalm 145.1-12 (Brother James’ Air: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want)
I will extol You, God, my King, and ever praise Your Name!
I bless You, Lord, for everything each day, and e’er the same!
Great are You, Lord, my praise I bring; unsearchable Your fame!

To ev’ry generation we Your wondrous works shall tell.
The splendor of Your majesty we contemplate full well.
We speak of all Your mighty deeds and all Your greatness tell!

Then shall we all the glorious fame of Your great goodness sing –
Your righteousness, Your gracious Name, Your mercy: praise we bring!
Your steadfast love remains the same, mercy our covering.

Your works shall thank You; all Your saints shall bless and praise You, Lord.
Your reign we bless without restraint; Your power fills our words.
Our children we shall educate in all Your splendor, Lord.
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.