John 8:31-32

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32

So many were interested in what Jesus had to say and some believed that he could  be the messiah. But Jesus knew that interest and belief weren’t enough; that was only a shallow beginning. To truly be his disciples they would need to continue in his word. It’s that word “continue” that was a stumbling block for many, and it continues to be so for us. We have become quite adept in introducing people to Jesus, with first introductions often taking place in Sunday School or confirmation classes. Occasionally those teachings are taken seriously and some young folks actually learn the basics of Jesus’ life, including the good news of his crucifixion and resurrection. And for most that’s enough! Armed with that basic knowledge they move on to live their lives, and don’t even come close to becoming disciples. And that’s really sad, because they never, ever experience the delight and joy of being free in Christ! But some do! Powerless to control their own lives, distraught with the chaos of life in this world of social media, they surrender to the Jesus they never knew, and discover the beauty of life in the Spirit. And as they continue in that life, love, peace, and joy proliferate, and they are set free to be.

Thought for the Day: How does one surrender to Jesus?