Scripture: John 8

Key points to ponder:  In the first part of this chapter (vs. 1-11) we see religious leaders trying to trap Jesus through a cruel act, but Jesus turns their own weapon against them and brings spiritual healing to a woman at the same time! Jesus again showed that he didn’t come to condemn the world, but that the world would be saved through him.  In the rest of the chapter, we see Jesus answering questions from the people about his own identity, his validity as a teacher, and the identity of the people. He shows that the Jews were living as slaves to a sinful, broken world, but that he came to bring true freedom to those who believed.  (vv. 32) So everyone, from the top religious leaders to the woman brought before Jesus, needed his help and salvation.

Challenging terms: Abraham was the father, in a sense, of the Jewish nation, but Jesus was saying that you show who your father is based on belief, not bloodline. (vv. 59) When Jesus says “I am” he was quoting God himself and claiming to be God, and that’s why the Jews were furious about it (Exodus 3:14).

Questions: Is it easy for you to see yourself as a broken person who has been a slave to this sin and needs freedom?  (vv. 34) What might it mean to be freed by the truth (vs. 32)? 

Prayer: Father, thank you for offering us freedom and care and salvation in the midst of our brokenness, no matter who we are or what we’ve done. 

Consider praying that God would open your eyes to see who you are in his eyes, not as a perfect person, nor a person too sinful to save, but as a child whom he wants to bring freedom and life to.