Jesus, a truly free man

Thursday, 15 June 2023

"If therefore the Son sets you free, you will be truly free." John 8. 36

Jesus, a truly free man

The Lord Jesus has set us free and He wants us to live as free men. He was himself the only man to have been completely free with regard to everything, so he is an example.

- He is free when, in the desert, he refuses to give in to the three temptations of the devil. He thereby demonstrates that he is a perfect man who came to earth to do his Father's will only. Likewise, let's not let the devil rule us !

- He is free from all fear, during the storm which frightens his disciples, however qualified sailors. The proof : he sleeps peacefully. To be free from all anguish, let us also count on God !

- He is free to show love and interest for those who were despised by his people : Samaritans, prostitutes, collectors in the pay of the Romans... He does not hide from men monks who spy on him to find grounds for accusation against him. Let us not be enslaved by the opinion of others !

- He is free from any feeling of pride when the crowd acclaims him to make him king. Let's stay humble if we become popular !

- He is free to denounce the hypocrisy of the religious of the time by warning them against the seriousness of their inner state : "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites !" (Matthew 23). Let's watch over our inner state, to have the freedom and the courage to tell our brother that "the lion of the truth is misleading" (James 5. 19) or our fellow citizens that they are going to perdition.

- He is free when, the night he is delivered, he does not try to run away and goes to meet his executioners. Let us pray for our persecuted brethren to stand firm in the Lord and carry out the service entrusted to them.

- He is free when he remains on the cross instead of asking for the help of angels to deliver him from men, from the cross and from death. We cannot imitate him in the work of redemption on the cross, but the apostle John tells us : "We have known love, in that he laid down his life for us ; we too must lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

So let's use this freedom that is offered to us !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)