Day 31-Friday, March 15th
Read John 8:21-32
Set Free

For many who are adopted, the uncertainty of not knowing their birth parents can be a huge burden that they bear throughout life. They struggle with the obvious questions. Why did my parents give me up? Didn’t they want me? What is wrong with me? Who are they and what are they like?

Some, when they come of age, can look into the details of their adoption and actually reach out to the birth parent(s) if they are still living. For those who are able to connect and meet their birth parents, many share a feeling of peace and relief in discovering an important aspect of their identity. They are set free from the uncertainty of their origins.

In this passage, we find a contrast between those who are paralyzed by unbelief and those who are set free by their belief in Jesus. The first group continues to challenge Jesus about His identity and His origin. They ask Jesus directly…

“Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say in judgment of you. But He who sent Me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from Him I tell the world. They did not understand that He was telling them about His Father.” John 8:25-27 NIV

Even though Jesus has answered this question over and over again, it seems like these Jews just couldn’t ever comprehend the truth of what He was saying. Jesus tries to explain His relationship with God the Father more clearly…
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” John 8:28-29 NIV
Remembering the words of Jesus in John 6:44…
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them.
God the Father was at work among some in the crowd, quickening their hearts to believe and come to Jesus. Those who had ears to hear were able to see that His testimony combined with the miraculous works He had performed was more than enough evidence to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
Even as He spoke, many believed in Him. To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:30-32 NIV

It is important to note that here Jesus partners belief with obedience. This isn’t a works-based salvation but rather the idea that obedience should be the product of true belief. We must keep in mind the intense debates that are occurring between the crowds. It would be easy to take sides and claim to believe or not believe, but it would be quite another to say you believe and prove that belief by living out the life to which Jesus calls you.

For those who refuse to believe, they will continue to be held captive by their doubt. For those who do believe, they are set free from all the contention to live obediently abundantly in the new life that Jesus brings.

Questions to consider:
In what ways is your belief and faith in Jesus proven by the life you live?
In other words, do you “walk the walk” as much as you “talk the talk”?

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