In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 8:30-41[HCSB])

30 As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 “We are descendant of Abraham,” they answered Him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will become free’? ”

34 Jesus responded, “ I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. 36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. 37 I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill Me because My word is not welcome among you. 38 I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; therefore, you do what you have heard from your father.”

39 “Our father is Abraham! ” they replied. “If you were Abraham’s children,” Jesus told them, “you would do what Abraham did. 40 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! 41 You’re doing what your father does.”

What is the truth?

In the movie, A Few Good Men, Jack Nicholson when cross examined, tells Tom Cruise, “You can’t handle the truth!”

Not many of us can handle the truth and far fewer are set free by it. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

It doesn’t get any more specific than that! However, most of us want a relative truth tailored to our individual needs; in other words we want to be a god, not worship one.

Jesus defines freedom as being released from the bondage of sin by Him and through Him. If the Son (who remains in the house as Master and Lord, i.e. eldest Son) sets you free, then you are truly are free. It is the same as being set free by the Father, the owner of the house. This is a spiritual condition and may not mean physical freedom. Paul was keenly aware of this reality as he was imprisoned in Rome and declared his freedom though he was in physical bondage.

Ephesians 6:20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Jesus is also rebuking the Jews who believed Him by telling them that being a child of Abraham is not enough to justify them in God’s eyes.

For all of this to line up one must believe that Jesus is Christ, that He indeed dwells with the Father spiritually, and that He and His words fulfill all Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah. It is an “all or nothing proposition.”

All truth is in Jesus.