John 8:31-47
Be Still: Lord, quiet my heart now as I come to you. Let me hear your words of truth spoken over me. Amen
Read: John 8:31-47
'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' (vv 31-32)
Encounter: Sometimes I ask one of my children to do a household chore -- maybe empty the dishwasher, take out the recycling or hoover the stairs. Sometimes they say, ‘Yes, I’ll do it now…’. Sometimes it actually happens.
We are very good at listening to instructions or advice or teaching and then promptly forgetting them – or failing to take the actions required. And yet taking action is the evidence that listening has taken place.
If I tell you I’m a vegetarian and you watch me cooking up bacon for my breakfast, then it’s highly likely you will dispute my claim and call me a hypocrite. We would all agree that hypocrisy is bad and would hope to live our lives free from it. Jesus points out that if we want to claim to be his followers, without hypocrisy, then we need to adhere to his teaching, listen and act. This is going to require us firstly to find out what his teaching is, and secondly — take some action.
But Jesus isn’t just looking for evidence for who is ‘really’ his disciple in order to judge us. It’s because he knows his teaching brings life and hope and wholeness. We are all tangled up in some way or another in the effects of a fallen sinful world. Living our lives listening to and obeying the teaching of Jesus, will enable us to escape that tangle, that sin, and live lives that are truly free.
Apply: Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. While the first step is saying 'yes' to him and welcoming him into our hearts and lives, there is a lifetime afterwards of choosing obedience. On this journey we are going to trip and stumble but the wise move is to allow Jesus to pick us up, dust us down, forgive us, heal us, and set us on our way again. Is there an area of ‘tangle’ in your life today? Listen to Jesus’ words over you and allow his words of truth to set you free.
Devote: Lord I’m sorry where I listen to you — and then choose to go my own way. Bring me back to you today and help me to listen and respond. I choose you — the One who is the way, the truth and life.