The Truth Will Set You Free

NLT John 8:31-32 

 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash

 Why is this passage ponderable?

This is one of those passages that is easy to pass over without much thought. John is quoting Jesus who is the icon of truth. So if Jesus said it; it must be true. What's to ponder?

The ponderable issue here is that Jesus goes beyond assuring us that only Truth flows from his lips. Any Believer accepts that without question. But Jesus takes it a bit further by assuring us that knowing the Truth will set us free.  Even Believers might give pause at that assertion. It raises many questions that John does not ask nor does Jesus answer in this passage. 

From what will this Truth set us free? Free from eternal damnation? Free from those who oppress us? Free from financial worries? Free from guilt? Free from health problems? Free from depression? Free from our enemies? 

We might also ponder a more optimistic view of this promise. Perhaps Jesus means it will set us free to be ourselves? Free to ponder such questions without fear of being shunned or excommunicated? Free to give over our will and our lives to God as we understand God.

It has been said that "the language of God is silence." However, that doesn't mean that God does not communicate with us. It means that God can bypass our ears and go directly to our mind and heart. Sometimes, this happens in dreams,  sometimes through meditation, and often through basic mindfulness.  

Ever experience trying to solve a problem with little success, only to notice a roadside sign that provides a gateway to the solution? That is how God frequently communicates in silence. But we don't hear or feel the communication because we are not paying attention.