ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Tusite Sepitema 7, 2021

and the truth will set you free

pea ‘e fakatau‘atāina ‘a kimoutolu ‘e he mo‘oni

Sione 8 (John 8)

(v. 31-32) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(v. 31-32) Pea lea ai ‘a Sīsū kiate kinautolu ‘o ha‘a Siu kuo tui kiate ia, Kapau te mou nofo ma‘u ‘i he‘eku akonaki, ko ‘eku kau ako mo‘oni kimoutolu; pea ‘e faifai pea mahino kiate kimoutolu ‘a e mo‘oni, pea ‘e fakatau‘atāina ‘a kimoutolu ‘e he mo‘oni.

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

The end of chapter 7 is closely linked with this, in that after declaring "every man went to his own house," the writer said, "But Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives."

Here we have the story of a return to the Temple, and of Jesus' dealing with the woman in the presence of the rulers. With matchless skill He showed that these men had no right' to judge this woman. This He did Himself in matchless grace.

John 8:12 we have a continuation of the line of thought broken off by the introduction of the narrative of the woman. Our Lord made a stupendous claim, "I am the Light of the world," and declared that men following Him would not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. On the basis of that He went on with His teaching, in the course of which He again claimed to work in harmony with His Father, and uttered supreme words revealing His claim for Himself, and showing the blindness and wickedness of those who were opposing Him. His enemies were angry, and asked Him, with evident scorn, "Whom makest Thou Thyself?" It was then that He emphatically said, "Before Abraham was, I am."

David Guzik :: Study Guide for John 8

The previous verse tells us that many believed in Him (John 8:30). Jesus spoke to those who had that beginning of belief, telling them what they needed to continue in belief.

“This section of the discourse is addressed to those who believe, and yet do not believe. Clearly they were inclined to think that what Jesus said was true. But they were not prepared to yield Him the far-reaching allegiance that real trust in Him implies. This is a most dangerous spiritual state.” (Morris)

If we will be Jesus’ disciples, we must abide in His word. There is no other way. To be a follower of Jesus – the Word made flesh – is to abide (to live in, to dwell in, to make your home in) His word.

“To those who have just been described as believing on Him Jesus went on to say, ‘If you’ – emphasized in distinction from those who had not believed – ‘abide in my word’ – not content with making the first step towards faith and obedience – ‘then’ – but not till then – ‘are ye really my disciples.'” (Dods)

Tasker described what it means to abide in His word: “Welcoming it, being at home with it, and living with it so continuously that it becomes part of the believer’s life, a permanent influence and stimulus in every fresh advance in goodness and holiness.” (Tasker)

This too is another statement reflecting the unity between the Father and the Son. Jesus called men to abide in His word. In the mouth of anyone other than Jesus, these words would be absurd.

“Our treatment of our Lord’s words discriminates us: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, is he that loveth Me.” (Meyer)

This is the result of abiding in the word of Jesus. We prove ourselves to be His disciples and we know the truth, and God works His freedom in our life through His truth. The freedom Jesus spoke of doesn’t come from just an academic pursuit of truth in general; but from abiding in His word and being His disciple.

There is nothing like the freedom we can have in Jesus. No money can buy it, no status can obtain it, no works can earn it, and nothing can match it. It is tragic that not every Christian experiences this freedom, which can never be found except by abiding in God’s word and being Jesus’ disciple.