John the apostle wrote how Jesus told the people who believed on Him, “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-three of His book John shared how Jesus told the Jews who believed on him, “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” where we read:
They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man:
how say you, You shall be made free?
The verse reads, “They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man:” John began with the words, “they answered him” which means “the Jewish people responded, began to speak and answered Jesus”, “We are Abraham's seed” or “we, Jewish people, exist as the offspring and progeny of Abraham which means father of a multitude and was the founder of the Jewish nation”, “and were never” which means “and at not at any time” “in bondage” or “as a slave and servant” “to any man” which means “to any person whether male or female”. John shared how the “Jewish people” referred to their heritage that came through “Abraham”, and they believed themselves to have never been a “slave” to anyone.
The verse continues, “how say you, You shall be made free?” John added the words, “how say you” which means “in what way and for what reason do you, Jesus utter, declare and proclaim”, “you shall be made free” or “you, Jewish people, will be released, liberated and unrestrained from slavery”? John shared how the “Jewish people” wondered why Jesus would say they would be “liberated” when they were never “in bondage” before.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how these “Jewish people” did not understand Jesus' reference to “spiritual” matters rather than “physical” ones. These people did not think themselves to be “slaves” in the flesh, but they were actually “slaves” in the “spirit” to sin. Jesus will say more about this in our next verse, but for now let it suffice us to know that Jesus knew people were “in bondage” to “sin”, and they needed someone to “liberate” them from the power of it. Jesus died upon the cross to pay the penalty for sins for the whole world, and anyone who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. This is “freedom”, and it is “freedom” indeed.
Next time John shares how Jesus tells His believers, “whoever commits sin is the servant of sin”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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