Written by Paul J Bucknell on May, 04, 2020

John 8:30-36 Discover True Freedom in Christ , Part 2— John 8:35-36

3. Only the Son Can Make Us Free (John 8:35-36)

Jesus was a radical teacher. He pointed out that they were more like servants than sons. Remember, servants (i.e., slaves) were owned in that day, not merely hired. In some respects, their situation seems similar to that of the son. They get to live in the same place and live amidst the wealth there. Temporarily, the circumstances look the same. But it is only temporary. The slave has no rights and certainly no possessions. He only works there. Association with God does not mean relationship. As long as they are slaves, they have no long-term claim on God’s prosperity.

This claim of real ownership goes to the son. Slaves are slaves. A slave must first be transformed from a slave into a freeman and then from a freeman into a son to become an heir. Verse 36 describes this transformation twofold. Only Jesus, the Son of God, has the right and power to make this transformation. The Son belongs to the house and has the right to bring others into it. He can change a slave’s status if He so desires, and it is certainly His privilege. No slave, however, can insist on the right to freedom, let alone on sonship. Freedom for a slave always begins with the freeman. As the Son of the true God, Jesus can adopt slaves and make them part of God’s great family. The adoption or transformation of a slave into a freeman can be done only by the one who has power in that family.

Only Jesus the Messiah can help us in our plight because He alone breaks the bond of sin and its power. In Jesus’ resurrection, we see that One has conquered sin and death. God uses His Son’s blood to take away our sin and set us free to become part of His family. Remember, Jesus’ purpose is not to make you into someone you are not, but to make you who you are. This is true freedom. I know people search everywhere for freedom and meaning in life, but they can only find them in Jesus Christ and the new life He gives.

Although many theses and papers present their proposals and solutions, Jesus upfront informs us that if they do not address mankind’s root problem of sin, they miss the point. Plans that diminish the Gospel by generating their own agenda form a false gospel.

Though people might make you feel backward or inferior, shouting down the importance of Christ, don’t be intimidated or misconstrue the problem. Sin betrays our heart problems and our resistance against God. Even in Catholic or Protestant churches, sinful solutions and toleration reveal extensive hatred against God and His ways, such as promoting sexual immorality, abortion, hatred of others, etc.

It comes down to whom you listen to and follow. Jesus claims that allegiance must come before any culture or party.

Christ above Culture

Truth above Falsehood

Like the believing Jews in Jesus’ time, professing Christians don’t openly say they don’t need Jesus or that He is unimportant. Still, amid all their socioeconomic talk about values, it becomes clear they value other things more.

Jesus came to die on the cross and to live as the King of His newly created kingdom of God, consisting of people free from their sins and the tyranny of the evil one. His people are thrust forward with an expectation of the king’s return and the establishment of a new heaven and earth.

Governmental reform is superficial, but changing the heart of man remains most important. And as such, we are light and salt in this world.

The backslidden prefer the comfort of screens and games to Bible study and application. They are not willing to advance Jesus’ Word over their conveniences.

Many in His time championed Israel and the temple against the Romans. At least one of Jesus’ disciples, Simon, was openly labeled a Zealot, but Jesus refused to sterilize the Gospel. It seems quite possible that Judas Iscariot hoped Jesus would rescue Israel from the oppressive empire. Disappointed, he later betrayed Jesus, letting his political affiliations sway his loyalty to Jesus and the truth.

Each generation should likewise disdain slavery, yet our culture delights in sin through promiscuity, bribery, and manipulative deceit. Though people decry slavery, they cannot connect it to their sin.

But perhaps most suspiciously, Jesus spoke to them, “If you continue in My Word….” This sets the stage for His famous statement in John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Yet on closer inspection, this statement means something far different from what people hope to hear.

Can we conclude there is no freedom outside of Christ?
Can we equally agree that all the world’s systems, no matter how prominent or esteemed, have failed?
Lastly, can we openly admit Jesus’ way as the only way to find freedom?

Summary

Freedom describes a person in light of God’s unique design, free from the cramping and depressive effects of sin. Positively, it’s who one is! It helps to think about God’s purposes and plans for our lives. Do you sense the freedom here?

John Stott rightly stated (in my own words) that most people think of freedom in terms of what they escape rather than what they are freed to do. Both are important, but most believers end up thinking only of the first. When we seriously consider where God is leading us, life’s excitement begins!

John 8:35–36 — The Son Makes You Free

35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:35-36)