You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32
Free.
It is a great word. A powerful concept. An incredible feeling. But only those who have been in bondage (of some sort) truly know the depth and meaning of the phrase, "I am free!"
Are you free?
Earlier in chapter eight, John gives the account of a woman who knew bondage; to sin, to the lustful appetites of men, and to a religion devoid of compassion or grace.
Men with fire in their eyes and rocks in their hands were ready to take her life. (My guess is that some of these very men had shared her bed at one time or another. What Jesus wrote in the dirt is your guess as much as mine, but I'm thinking it was a list of names that caused the vigilantes to drop their weapons and slink away).
Jesus: "Woman, where they? Has no one condemned you?"
Woman: "No one, Lord."
Think about it; if the criteria for rock throwing was (is) perfection - as Jesus said, "Let him who is without sin… be the first to throw a stone," - then the only one who met the criteria was Jesus. Jesus alone had the right and moral ground to condemn this woman.
Jesus alone had the right to throw rocks.
Jesus doesn't throw rocks.
Jesus: "Neither do I condemn you…"
Freedom… from condemnation!
Jesus: "… go, and from now on sin no more."
Freedom… to live a new life!
Jesus didn't expect sinless perfection out of the woman from that day forward. He is saying, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed," (v.36).
Those who have known the bitterness of bondage, and have then tasted freedom, never want to go back. And though we may fail, though we may fall back into our chains, whether it be occasionally or often, Christ's words of powerful grace still ring true: "You are free!"
Free from condemnation.
Free from fear.
Free from the voices that say you are less than.
Free from _________ (fill it in; you are free!)
Jesus, you are the truth that sets me free!
For now...
Are you free?
Earlier in chapter eight, John gives the account of a woman who knew bondage; to sin, to the lustful appetites of men, and to a religion devoid of compassion or grace.
Men with fire in their eyes and rocks in their hands were ready to take her life. (My guess is that some of these very men had shared her bed at one time or another. What Jesus wrote in the dirt is your guess as much as mine, but I'm thinking it was a list of names that caused the vigilantes to drop their weapons and slink away).
Jesus: "Woman, where they? Has no one condemned you?"
Woman: "No one, Lord."
Think about it; if the criteria for rock throwing was (is) perfection - as Jesus said, "Let him who is without sin… be the first to throw a stone," - then the only one who met the criteria was Jesus. Jesus alone had the right and moral ground to condemn this woman.
Jesus alone had the right to throw rocks.
Jesus doesn't throw rocks.
Jesus: "Neither do I condemn you…"
Freedom… from condemnation!
Jesus: "… go, and from now on sin no more."
Freedom… to live a new life!
Jesus didn't expect sinless perfection out of the woman from that day forward. He is saying, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed," (v.36).
Those who have known the bitterness of bondage, and have then tasted freedom, never want to go back. And though we may fail, though we may fall back into our chains, whether it be occasionally or often, Christ's words of powerful grace still ring true: "You are free!"
Free from condemnation.
Free from fear.
Free from the voices that say you are less than.
Free from _________ (fill it in; you are free!)
Jesus, you are the truth that sets me free!
For now...
D
