How to See Life in 321 - a Guide to John's GospelSample

When you think of freedom, what do you picture?

If you do an online image search for “freedom,” you will find endless pictures of individuals on mountaintops at sunset. The images convey the idea of autonomy, strength, joy, and endless possibilities. But in John chapter 8, we get a much richer, more true-to-life vision.

First of all, Jesus reveals to us what he is like: he is the Light of the world — and in his light, we see everything else. That’s vital because, as John 8 progresses, we get the idea that we are naturally unenlightened. Naturally, we grope around in the darkness. The default condition for humanity is lost.

Think back to the online search for ‘images of freedom.’ So often, they depict an individual, all by themselves. That’s how we often think of freedom — it’s about ‘getting out from under’ and ‘going our own way.’ It’s about independence. But what if we don’t know the way? What if it’s dark, and we’re not the enlightened people we think we are? At that point, our vision of ‘getting free’ sounds suspiciously similar to ‘being lost.’

It would be an interesting experience to ask people: “Which statement resonates with you more: I feel free? Or I feel lost?” According to the Bible—however we feel about it—without the Light of the world, we are lost. But there’s good news.

Jesus has come to a dark world to bring light, and he’s come to a lost world to bring us home. As you read John 8, notice the two ways Jesus describes setting us free. First, he brings “the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32). Second, he comes as “the Son,” and “the Son sets you free.” (John 8:36) These are two aspects of the way he liberates us. He confronts us with reality, and he brings us home—back into the family love we were made for.

As you read John 8, ask yourself: Will I let myself be confronted by the Truth of God? And will I let myself be comforted by the Son of God?

As the Son of God, Jesus has come to find the lost and to bring them to the Father. At that point, freedom will not feel like independence, it will feel so much better than that — it’s like coming home!