Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 9, 2025

Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent

Scripture Text: John 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So, if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father."

They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" So, they said to him, "We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

In the gospel reading for today, Jesus challenges those who believed in Him when He told them that as His disciples, they would “know the truth” which would set them free. They took offense, claiming they were already free. Jesus exposed their mistake by shining light on their sins and their need for redemption – freedom from the sins. Jesus continues to stress His sonship – His oneness with the Almighty Father – who sent Him and whose will Jesus came to fulfill.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I recognize Jesus as Son of God, sent to free me from the power of sin? Do I acknowledge my sins? Do I profess Jesus’ as my divine savior?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to take on our human nature and to share in life in every way except sin. He revealed to us your great love for us and your desire that we have life in abundance with You. Send your Spirit to illuminate our minds so that we see more clearly into your relationship with Jesus, your only-begotten Son, and tenderize our hearts so that our love for You leads us to seek and follow your will as Jesus did. Grant that we may daily grow into the daughters and sons You created us to be. Give us the courage and faith to follow in the footsteps of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, realizing that our world does not always welcome loving goodness and truth. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.