John 8:31-36 - Lesson #88

Jesus had been speaking to the Jews about who He was (John 8:12), the consequences for unbelief (John 8:24), and by who's authority He spoke (John 8:28). And as Jesus continued the discussion, "many believed in Him" (John 8:30). But what did it mean for these Jews to believe in Jesus?

John 8:31-36
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' They answered Him, 'We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, "You will be made free"?' Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.'"

We need to remember John's purpose in writing this gospel; "these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31). John wrote every passage to show who Jesus is and what it means to really believe, so we may have true life! The discussion between Jesus and the "believing" Jews demonstrated a belief which does not lead to life.

Jesus said if those who "believed" would abide in His word they would be His disciple, know the truth and be made free. It's important to see all these results as connected to abiding in His word. Abiding is a term which means to be firmly rooted, to remain in, to live by and to draw life from. But this was offensive because Jesus implied they did not currently know the truth and, more importantly, that they were not currently free. Since their days of slavery in Egypt, the Jews knew the reality of physical bondage. But they believe they had spiritual freedom because they were descended from Abraham.

The Jews believed that being a Jew placed them in a right relationship with God. This belief kept them from a true belief in Jesus and from being set free. Jesus said that, though they were Jewish, they were still a slave to sin. And no matter how hard they tried, they could never earn the status of a son but would remain in eternal bondage; "he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart" (Romans 2:29).

The gospel message must begin with the sad reality that we are in bondage to sin. Even on our best days, if we strive in our own effort, we remain but a slave; "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). But the gospel then continues with the glorious reality that Jesus came to set us free and make us an eternal child of God: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). How does this happen? By allowing our life to flow out of the true life of His word. By receiving His forgiveness and living all our days in the peace and protection of His name. By understanding who Jesus is and from the innermost part of our heart, soul, mind and strength, believe!