John 8:31-42

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

John 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham

and have never been enslaved to anyone.

How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,

everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.

A slave does not remain in a household forever,

but a son always remains.

So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.

I know that you are descendants of Abraham.

But you are trying to kill me,

because my word has no room among you.

I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;

then do what you have heard from the Father.”

They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children,

you would be doing the works of Abraham.

But now you are trying to kill me,

a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;

Abraham did not do this.

You are doing the works of your father!”

So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.

We have one Father, God.”

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,

for I came from God and am here;

I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you created me out of love to enjoy your divine life. Help me to see how true freedom is found in your loving will and sharing in your Son’s life. Help me to reject the false freedom offered by the world and the devil.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Spiritual Freedom from Sin: The Gospel of John continues the debate between Jesus and the Pharisees, some of whom are starting to believe in Jesus. Jesus teaches that to be one of his disciples goes beyond merely learning his teachings. A disciple of Jesus must remain or abide in his word. Those who faithfully welcome and embrace Jesus and his word will allow it to transform their lives. The abiding Word of God will give them knowledge of the truth and the freedom of the children of God. The reaction of the Pharisees to this teaching about being set free is very hostile. In fact, the Pharisees outright lie by saying that as descendants of Abraham, they “have never been enslaved to anyone.” This ignores their history as slaves in Egypt, exiles in Babylon, and vassals under Persia. It ignores their past subjugation to the Greeks and their current subjugation under Rome. Jesus tries to bring them to a deeper understanding of their spiritual slavery. They are blind to their spiritual enslavement to the power of sin and their need for the freedom that Jesus offers (Martin and Wright, The Gospel of John, 162).

2. Children of Abraham or Children of the Devil: In the debate with the Pharisees, Jesus draws out a difference between, on the one hand, being a child of the devil and a slave of sin and, on the other, being a true child of Abraham and a free child of God. Jesus did not come to bring political liberation from the Romans, but to bring freedom from sin, which alienates us from God our Father. When the Pharisees call themselves children of Abraham, Jesus warns them that they are acting not as children of Abraham who do the works of Abraham but are acting like children of the devil (John 8:43-44). Abraham, despite his many faults and failings, was a man of faith. And Jesus has pointed out that the Pharisees are refusing to believe. Instead of imitating the faith of Abraham, who was willing to offer his son, Isaac, in sacrifice, they are imitating the murderer and father of lies, the devil, and trying to kill the Son of God to get rid of him.

3. Jesus’ Concern for the Pharisees: Throughout the debate with the Pharisees, Jesus does not hold back. He goes toe-to-toe with them, so to speak. He continues to invite them to believe in him and tries to get them to stop thinking and judging “according to the flesh” (John 7:24; 8:15). Jesus wants to bring the religious authorities, who are familiar with the scriptures, to come to believe in the fulfillment of the scriptures in his person. The Pharisees are content with the old Temple, the Law of Moses, animal sacrifices, sabbath prohibitions, and separation from sinners and Gentiles. They are resisting the New Temple, the grace of Jesus, the sacrifice of love, becoming new creations, and welcoming all nations into the new family of God.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you reveal the truth that sets me free. I want to embrace that truth and freedom with all my heart. You are able to liberate me and make me flourish as a child of God. Set my eyes on how wonderful life is when I live according to God’s will.

Living the Word of God: When I hear the phrase, “the freedom of the children of God,” what comes to mind? Do I see freedom as the ability to choose between good and evil or as the power to do good? Do I see sin as an abuse of freedom and good deeds as the perfection of freedom? How can I exercise my freedom and grow in true freedom as a child of God today?