Today’s reading is: John 8:31-38 The Message (MSG)
31-32 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”
33 Surprised, they said, “But we’re descendants of Abraham. We've never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, ‘The truth will free you’?”
34-38 Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. I know you are Abraham’s descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn't yet penetrated your thick skulls. I’m talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you just go on doing what you have heard from your father.”
Hmmmmm. The Jews who had claimed to believe in Him. Jesus is taking this belief a step further - if I stick with this (His Word, surrender our control, receive His control), living out what I tell you (ACT on it) I am His disciple. Before I came to POG, I believed I was a Christian because I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Never really thought about being a disciple - that was just for the men in the Bible. I still proclaim to be a Christian, but the definition seems to be changing or maybe getting back to what it really is. God calls me not only to accept Christ but to bring others to know and love Christ through my actions and through living out what I know to be true. Wow!
Let’s see, how am I doing with that? It depends on whether His Word or the Holy Spirit is sinking into my “thick skull”! (don’t you just love the Message version?) Am I living according to what I want, a member of my family wants, or what this world wants? And when I’m that slave to sin - I try to “kill” Jesus all over again. I’m so very thankful and praise God that He came down in the Flesh to save us from ourselves.
Last Friday, I had kept clear for me. I wasn't working or keeping my grandchildren and had planned to participate somehow in the Verge conference, which among other things, is all about disciple making. As Friday rolled around I let “worldly things” enter in to my schedule, taking priority over the conference. Well as soon as I’d left the house I caused a 2nd wreck at the intersection of Kelly Lane and SH130. (yes, the one of the two wrecks that shut down the entire intersection for over an hour) No one was hurt in my wreck and no one seriously in the other wreck. Shortly after I rear-ended the car in front of me and pushed them into the car in front of them and found out everyone was ok, I felt the Spirit “solemnly” say, “Cindy, I want you to learn more about becoming My disciple”. Go home (I had already downloaded the conference). I believe the Spirit also arranged for the 1st towing company to take hours, so I went with another and had plenty of time to see the 2nd 2 hour session of the conference. Then, I was richly blessed with the conversation with the tow truck driver!
In this passage for us today, Jesus tells us what we need to do to become his disciple, to turn away from sin and believe that He is the one true Son of God and He has set us FREE from that life of sin through the Cross and Resurrection. Hallelujah!
Lord, my One True Father, I’m so sorry for the times I choose to sin against You. I hate that in me. I do love You and am overwhelmed with Your Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness. I’m so thankful for the freedom You offer me in living Your Truth. I do so much want to honor You. I adore how You allow me to start anew each day. Please help me live in You every day thus being Your disciple! In Jesus Name I pray.
What did this passage bring out in you today? How is Sunday’s Message holding true in your life this week - again about making disciples?
cindy