Verse of the Day - weekend 6/5

Through the Bible - 2 Chronicles 19-23, John 16:16-17:5

 

Good morning,

We've looked at abiding in and remaining in John 15.  For today's verse we'll go back to John 8 where the subject of "remaining" is also mentioned.

 

 John 8:31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. ³² And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."   NLT

 

Jean and I have been down in Charleston celebrating our anniversary. One of the things that we've done was to visit Boone Plantation.  The passages we've been considering have been enhanced by what we saw about the mansion and the slave quarters, and the differences in their lives.  Freedom for a slave was hard to come by if not impossible in some situations.

 

Slavery was common in the biblical times.  Accounts throughout the New Testament reflect that.

Jesus is talking about a different kind of slavery, bondage to sin.  He is also talking abouit a different kind of freedom.

 

Richard Burridge writes in his commentary, "He illustrates this with an image which is like a parable, the difference between a slave and a son where only the son 'abides' in the father's house (Joh. 8:35). It is the same word as 'continuing in my word' (Joh. 8:31). After the mention of Abraham, this image would remind his hearers of the contrast between Ishmael, the son of Hagar the slave-woman, and Isaac the legitimate son (Gen. 17:20-21). Only the freeborn son could stay in father Abraham's houseforever (Gen. 21: 9-21).  Thus, says Jesus, 'if the son makes you free, you will be free indeed' (Joh. 8:36). The move from 'the son' in the story to 'the son' who sets us free is one of John's typical shifts of level. The Greek words are the same, with no different punctuation or capital 'S' as in our translations. But the meaning has changed to a deeper level, as 'the Son' — one of John's favourite ways of referring to Jesus-claims to 'make you free' in a way superior to both Jewish law and Greek reason."

 

The word abide means to abide, remain, continually in Jesus' words.  A true believer holds to, trusts and obeys Jesus teachings.  Only in remaining and abiding in His word  can we be faithful followers and enjoy true freedom, new life in Christ.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Jesus and Abraham

 John 8:31 (NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. ³² And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

 ³³ "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, 'You will be set free'?"

 ³⁴ Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵ A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. ³⁷ Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there's no room in your hearts for my message. ³⁸ I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father."