Truth is Freedom

Jesus spoke to the Jews about freedom and abiding in his words. His words would reveal the truth, which would give them freedom. They needed to break free from the entrapment of sin. This freedom would convert them from slaves to children of God (sons and daughters). “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Since the Jews often emphasised being children of Abraham, Jesus pointed out the irony of this and their hatred towards him. “They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did” (John 8:39). He rightly pointed out to them that they were not doing what Abraham would have done. In fact, their works confirmed that their real father was the devil.

He told them that they would love him if truly God was their father, instead they wanted to kill him in order to fulfil the desires of satan. “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Jesus said that they would hear the words of God, if truly they belonged to God. The Jews then accused him of being a Samaritan and a demon. He told them that his works were to honour the father and anyone who keeps his words, would not taste death. When Jesus told them that he existed before Abraham, they picked up stones to hit him.

Each time Jesus spoke the truth to the Jews, they grew indignant. Their fruits betrayed their standing with God and confirmed that they were being used by the devil. Some of the Jews may have been ignorant to their standing with God and may not have been aware that they were being used by satan. It was also possible that they were willing to surrender themselves, to be used as demonic host hotels for the enemy. Why else would the truth that Jesus spoke be so grievous to them? There were Jews who heard his message, saw his works and believed. Yet many refused to believe and hardened their hearts to his message. It is possible that their lives of sin opened a door for the devil to use them as slaves. If they were willing to be truthful about their sin and shortcomings, then they could be set free.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Confessing or sharing our story with others brings healing and deliverance. The devil loves secrets and many people who were in the occult, testify of being sworn to secrecy. These secrets were guarded by oaths of death if secrets were revealed. This is why the devil is the father of lies, because Jesus can set people free if they confess, renounce the works of darkness and accept him as Lord and saviour. The devil also uses shame, guilt and fear to keep people trapped. No one has to remain a slave to the devil and you have nothing to be ashamed of, as a child of God. Jesus nailed your sins to the cross and took shame, guilt and fear with him.

“blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14).

A.P.-Y.