Anchor My Faith

Have You Been Set Free?

Scripture: John 8:33-36

We ended the previous lesson expecting a challenge from the Jews over the statement of being free. Let’s see how they responded.

^{Jn 8:33} “They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”’

As is often the case, Jesus is speaking of things spiritual while the Jews are thinking of things physical. It is our sin to which we are enslaved and need to be set free, but they consider themselves offspring of Abraham and thus are not enslaved to anyone. Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. These Jews claim to be direct descendants of Abraham by Isaac, his heir, thus pretending that they were his real descendants, inheriting his freedom as well as his spirit.

Saying that they have never been enslaved to anyone shows how deceived these Jews are because their fathers had been slaves in Egypt; their nation had been enslaved in Babylon; it had repeatedly been subject to the Assyrians; it was enslaved by Herod the Great; and was, at the very time they spoke, groaning under the grievous and unbearable bondage of the Romans.

Again, and again these Jews say things that are false and at times even ridiculous, to avoid and oppose the truth. As they groan under the bondage of the Romans, they are unwilling to acknowledge it in any manner, and are indignant at being charged with it. Considering how they responded to Jesus, we see that their bondage to sin is producing passion, irritation, and a troubled soul; and a person under the influence of passion regards little of what he says, and often says things that are not true.

^{Jn 8:34} “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”’ Jesus is making it very clear that these Jews are practicing sin and as a result they are slaves to sin and unless their heart changes they will be unable to escape their sinful pattern of conduct.

Jesus continues, ^{Jn 8:35} “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” The slave does not remain with his master forever, or even until his death. If his master is dissatisfied with him for some reason, he is free to sell him or turn him away. The master’s son is the heir and cannot be sold or sent away. It is his privilege with the right of remaining with the family. Because of their disobedience and rebellion, Jesus is implying that maybe it is time for them to be rejected from being the people of God and be deprived of their special privileges as a nation. These Jews are slaves of sin and unless they are made free by the gospel that Jesus is proclaiming and become entitled to the privileges of the sons of God, they will be cast off like an unfaithful slave.

Jesus has more to say to these Jews, but that will have to wait until the next lesson.

Conclusion

These Jews were insistent that they were in a right relationship with God, but they were deceived. What do you think about your relationship with God and are you sure your belief is true? Remember what Jesus said to those in Matthew 7:21 – 23 who believed they were going to heaven. He said, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Don’t be like these Jews!