True Freedom Under Jesus (4/5/2026)

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you” (John 8:36).

Tension builds as Jesus has this discussion with the unbelieving Pharisees at this point in His ministry. As Jews, they are the descendants of Abraham and have assured themselves that they have always been free.

Jesus tries to convince them that they have been under bondage to sin since the law under which they lived—the Old Testament—did not have the element necessary to bring true freedom—that is, forgiveness.

Here he bluntly tells them that He is the source of the true freedom they need—He is the Son. And, yet, in spite of this blessing He can give to them, they refuse to listen to Him and are trying to kill Him.

The warning that has come down to every individual who has lived since that time is the same as the warning to these Pharisees: every time we refuse Jesus’ instruction and go about to establish our own form of religion—not according to His word—we display the same attitude toward Him they did. True freedom from the bondage of sin comes only to those who trust in Jesus enough to obey Him.