"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" John 8:36

The folks in John 8 were not all pleased with Jesus' words.  "You sound like You are speaking to slaves.  But we are a free people!" (v. 33, paraphrase).  They misunderstood.  Jesus makes it clear.  "Everyone who sins is a slave to sin." (v. 34).  And then he added this glorious truth, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (v. 36).

Our pride, too, does not like the Scriptures' reminder - "If we say we have no sin...the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8).  But it is true.  We have sinned.  By nature we are all spiritually enslaved.  Only Jesus can set us free.  That is what he does for us even as we repent of our sins, seek His forgiveness, and kneel penitently in faith at the foot of His meritorious and saving cross.  God is gracious; through Chirst, He has set us free.

Chris has freed us from the guilt and curse and tyranny of sin by fulfilling the Law in our place and bearing our sin by fulfilling the LAw in our place and bearing our sins in His body on the cross.  He gives this freedom to us personally by means of His Word and Sacraments.  What freedom!  What liberty we enjoy in Christ Jesus!  And it is only the beginning of a perfect liberty in the blessed kingdom of glory, where we shall be free from the slavery of sin for all eternity.

 From "Portals of Prayer" (c) 2005 by Concordia Publishing House.  Reproduced by permission under license number 07:09-18B.  For ordering information contact Concordia at www.cph.org .