Daily Readings - Wed Apr 10 2019
John
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, 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.