NOTES for Joh 8:31-42

Jesus speaks about slavery to sin and liberation from it. The phrase "...everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin" completely sweeps away arguments like the claim of a person who smokes or drinks that he can quit smoking or drinking at any moment. Yes, one can stop sinning, but after committing a sin, a person becomes its slave, and being freed is no simple matter. Only the Son can make us free and help us stop. Abiding in His word and knowing the truth, we become His disciples.

It is striking how Jesus emphasizes His role in this liberation. If a master releases a slave (and an evil master will never do this of his own will), the slave ends up on the street, perhaps without means of support or a roof over his head, and anyone can enslave him again in his weakness (see Matt 12:43-45).

In order to receive true liberation, we need the One who will redeem us from the evil master and bring us into His Father's house. Redeemed by His blood, we become sons instead of slaves, but for this our consent and our striving toward the Son are necessary. And then Jesus will share His dwellings with us (see John 14:2).