John 8:31-47 (NIV)
Read by: Anthony Rajski
Even if you haven’t read today’s passage, you’ve probably heard it in pop culture: “The truth shall set you free”… So what does that mean? These days there’s plenty of debate around what truth is, or even what freedom is. We say : live your truth, or you do you.
It’s possible that we’ve lost the Hebrew meaning of the word truth in this passage, it’s been replaced with Greek or modern definitions. In Hebrew, truth is about integrity, fidelity to your word, and often was a reference to Yahweh himself. These days have rigid factual data driven by accuracy, or pliable subjective stories based on experience. In this passage truth transcends all of that. And Jesus is using the word to refer to himself.
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1. What word or phrase stood out to you? Ask the Lord why.
2. Jesus challenges the Jewish leaders, who were supposed to be experts in Torah, saying that they had no room for Jesus’ words. Consider us. Could Jesus ever level that towards your life?
3. Jesus’ truth challenged these Jewish leaders, and their failure to hold to his teaching and do what it said caused Jesus to say that they did not belong to God. This is no small thing, Literally every part of the Jewish way of life was designed around their belonging to Yahweh. Where does your acceptance of Jesus’ truth place you in relationship to God?
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