Read: John 8:31-38
When I was doing campus ministry at the University of Texas, I remember routinely passing by the campus clocktower, on which was inscribed, “YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE”. Of course, many of the students I met with didn’t know this was from the bible, which lead me to wonder, what must they think it means? They probably simplify the meaning down to something like, ‘knowledge is power’, or maybe on a deeper level, ‘knowledge equals freedom from ignorance’. [NGR2] But as I thought about how secular students might interpret this verse compared to what this passage really says, I realized my interpretation was really not so far off from theirs. What is it that Jesus actually means here?
Remember, Jesus has just finished talking to the pharisees and now turns to “the Jews who had believed Him”. In keeping with what He has said so far, He explains to them how they can have a connection to the Father like He does. Basically, Jesus is outlining the simple gospel in verses 31-32, although it’s not a simplistic gospel. You could write whole books on the implications of these verses, but for now we’ll focus on the comprehensive process Jesus outlines in 31-32.
Right off the bat, notice how the first thing Jesus says to these very new believers is something we would probably cringe at as evangelicals today. Instead of starting with forgiveness of sins, Jesus jumps right in and immediately tells them, “if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples”, literally in the Greek, “if you continue in my teaching/word then you are truly disciples of Mine”. Obedience to Christ’s teaching is a non-negotiable for Christ followers. In fact, to claim faith in Christ and not make efforts to really obey what He said is oxymoronic. But, when we read some of things Jesus told His followers to do, we can’t help but think to ourselves, ‘He couldn’t really expect me to live this way!’. That’s a very logical reaction, but like we explored in John 8:12-30, Jesus isn’t interest in our reasonable arguments, He’s interested in whether or not we will trust the Father like He did.
This burden of obedience is not a heavy one, like the pharisees demanded, as Jesus explains in verse 32. In fact, this kind of abiding is the best way to live. By way of obedience and following Jesus, we will have the one thing everyone has been searching for throughout history—the truth.
Jesus doesn’t say knowing the truth will just make us smart, or wise. It’s not something you can pick up as an elective. It’s something from beyond us, something far bigger and more robust than we typically think. It’s the kind of knowledge Jesus shared in His life with the Father, and it’s why He was able to live the way He did. Remember, Jesus’ life is not just a monument to remember, it’s an example He honestly intends for us to follow.
Take a moment and think, are there things in Jesus’ life and teachings which you have ridden-off as being ‘impossible’ or ‘too hard’ to really take seriously? After you think, do something about it and really intend to obey Jesus’s words, praying for the energy to do His will. I think you’ll soon find that the tension between taking a leap and praying for strength to accomplish the seemingly impossible is where the Christian faith is meant to be lived.
