Word for the day by Christian Education Fory

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Sin and Bondage

Bible Reading: St. John. 8:31-36

Key verse: Vs 36  So if the son sets you free you will be free indeed.

DEVOTION

Discipleship is a contested term of our time. It is a relationship which includes a leader and his/ her followers who share common ethics of life and teachings. One who follows Jesus’ life and teachings is his disciples. The ‘community of faith’ is called to abide in Jesus’ love and words. The followers are commanded by the master to love one another as Jesus has loved them. The read passage ( Joh. 8:31-36) elaborates the mission of Christian disciples to follow Jesus’ words. Jesus said that a true disciple abides in his word and comes to know the truth about Jesus, His Father and the world's bondage to sin. 
Following the Word reveals the truth
For John, sin is a form of power that can hold people in its grasp. It does not express human freedom but takes away human freedom. In the text Jesus tells a group of people in the temple ‘truth will make you free’ ( v. 31). The saying presupposes that people need to be made free, which means they are currently not free. If the truth gives people freedom, then falsehood holds them captive. Jesus urges his followers to follow his words and commands,  thus faith comes to fruition. There are elements of unbelief in all of us thus sin enslaves us. Listening, mediating and acting according to God's word will give us the sense of truth in a world engulfed by untruth. Through discipleship we are part of a ‘community of faith’ we are saved by the precious body and blood of Christ on calvary. We are blessed with the freedom of salvation, since sinful forces of the world are around us to enslave us. 
Following the truth sets free
Jesus’ listeners object that they do not need to be made free because they are children of Abraham and have never been in bondage to anyone ( v. 33). The history of God's people is the history of bondage. The enslavement under pharaohs regime, Babylonian exile, Roman domination depicts the story of bondage. The truth Jesus revealed is the sinful nature of His people. Hence their actions are untruthful. Their nature of unbelief and untruthfulness drives their actions. The ‘Jewish particularism’ is the pride of God's people, such claims cannot reveal the truth and set us free. Jesus' preaching's and actions were the demonstrations of negating such claims. Rejecting the offer of freedom reveals the depth of their bondage. 

PRAYER

Our Lord and Our God, thank you for revealing us the truth of Salvation. Forgive us for not accepting the truth revealed through the word. Help us to be your true followers reflecting the truth in our surroundings.  Amen. 
 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Truth will make you free.

Rev. Akilesh J. Zachariah
( Vicar, Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, Sultan Bathery
Director, Jeevan Jyothi Girls Care Centre) 

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