Daily Readings - Wed Apr 10 2019
John
31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."33They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"34Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.35The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.37I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.38I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."39They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did,40but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.41You are doing what your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God."42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but He sent me.
Sermon
In today’s Gospel, Jesus engages in a profound dialogue with the Jews who believed in him, offering a message of liberation through faith. He begins by promising that abiding in his word will lead to true discipleship and freedom through truth. The Jews, however, challenge this, claiming descent from Abraham and asserting they have never been enslaved. Jesus responds by highlighting that sin enslaves, but through him, true freedom is possible. The conversation escalates as they argue about their lineage, with Jesus urging them to act like Abraham and love him as a child of God.
This exchange is set against a backdrop of tension between Jesus and the Pharisees, who often questioned his authority. Jesus emphasizes that freedom is not merely physical but spiritual, achievable by embracing his teachings. This freedom allows believers to live as God’s children, guided by love and truth, rather than sin. The passage underscores the importance of actions over claims, challenging us to embody our faith in our daily lives.
In reflection, we are reminded that true freedom is found in living according to God’s will, liberated from sin’s shackles. Like the Jews, we may face spiritual enslavement, but through faith, we can find liberation. Let us strive to live as children of God, demonstrating our commitment through love and truth, thereby experiencing the freedom Jesus offers.