Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Read John 8:31-38 Our reading for today may well be familiar. This gospel reading is the text assigned for Reformation Sunday each year. As was mentioned yesterday, it appears that many were believing in Jesus. The hopefulness of that response is dashed in today’s reading. We sometimes miss the fact that Jesus is here speaking to those who “believed in him” (John 8:31). But is their belief genuine or is it only “skin deep?” John has told his readers that Jesus knows what is in every person. Apparently Jesus knows the shallowness of the belief in those who are said to believe in him. Jesus’ proclamation to these people seems clear and non-confrontational. “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” What could possibly be offensive in that? Yet, it is apparent that these would-be believers are offended. They are offended by the possibility that they are not truly free. They ask Jesus what he means when he says they will be made free. Aren’t they free already? Their claim is a bit ridiculous given the state of Roman occupation under which they are living. How can they possibly claim that they have never been slaves to anyone? What about Egypt? What about Babylon? What about Rome? Yet they do not understand their bondage and consequently they cannot recognize that they really need to be made free. Jesus’ response to these protesters is harsh. They are not free because they are slaves to sin. And as slaves to sin they do not have a permanent place in God’s house. Only the Son has such a place. To receive a place in God’s house will happen only when the Son makes one free. By now it is apparent that the “belief” spoken of in John 8:30 is inadequate. Hopefulness is dashed. At this point Jesus reminds the “Jews” to whom he has been speaking and with whom he has been debating that even though they are children of Abraham they have been looking for a way to kill Jesus. They seek to kill Jesus because there is no place for Jesus’ word in them. And so the hostility grows.