As we journey together through Lent, Christians throughout Columbia will be sharing their own beautifully written personal meditations. Each will be accompanied by a corresponding scripture reading, and be linked to that passage in the Holy Bible. If you would like to join us on Columbia’s Lenten journey, please submit your personal meditation by email. Especially meaningful submissions will be printed. Let us continue our Lenten journey, day by day, to its glorious culmination on Easter Sunday.
Scripture reading: John 8:33-47
“The truth will set you free.” How many times have we heard that saying? We of logical mind try to define the truth in many ways. It sounds simple but is definitely very complicated. Those who profess psychology today tell us that our logical minds set up what we believe to be the truth. It’s as if we look at life in two dimensions. We choose one side of an issue and believe in it. This helps us to define our world.
Jesus tells us that He, God, is the Truth and we can be set free by being sinless. He states that anyone practicing sin is a slave to that sin. Jesus frees us from sin, which allows us to be what God intended.
In this passage the elders did not listen. Satan used their minds to enslave them and keep them from the truth. They were so entranced by their own logical beliefs that they were not open to the truth. They were so steeped in their tradition they were blinded to the truth. They scrutinized Jesus but could find no wrong. He was the only perfect example of sinlessness.
We all question Jesus’ word to make a logical world for us to live in. That is only human, or perhaps Satan’s temptation to do this. Jesus was put her to free us from our sinful ways. We challenge Him and don’t trust His answer. He is offering us freedom, for Jesus the power to do this. For those who choose freedom, Christ forgives their sins. As we go through Lent, let us open ourselves to Jesus’’ blessing and feel the freedom.
David Strasburger
Columbia, South Carolina
You might also like to read:
- Bible Verse of the Day
- Daily Bible Guide
- Growing in Christ
- Bible Study Tools Online
- The Jesus Walk Bible Study Series
A discussion of today’s Lenten meditation is encouraged. If you would like to participate, please feel free to write a comment in the space below. There are many different outlooks and interpretations of scripture passages and, the more we share, the more we learn.
Sharon is a member of the Community Church of the Midlands that meets at Seven Oaks Community Center at 200 Leisure Lane in Columbia and is a frequent participant, with her husband Douglas, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral located at 1100 Sumter Street in Columbia.
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If you enjoyed this article, you can find more at Sharon's Columbia Biblical Studies Examiner homepage.
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