The God Pause Daily Devotional from The Luther Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 27 October 2017 - John 8:31-36

The God Pause Daily Devotional from The Luther Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 27 October 2017 - John 8:31-36
---
John 8:31 So Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted him, “If you obey what I say, then you are really my talmidim, 32 you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered, “We are the seed of Avraham and have never been slaves to anyone; so what do you mean by saying, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Yeshua answered them, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin. 35 Now a slave does not remain with a family forever, but a son does remain with it forever. 36 So if the Son frees you, you will really be free!(Complete Jewish Bible)
---
My mother died recently, and a few weeks later I went back to the family home by myself. The hollowness of that house--devoid of Mom's laughter, her cooking, her stories--reflected my own empty feelings of loss, grief and even abandonment. No one is ever old enough to suffer the loss of a parent without feeling a bit orphaned. I sat that night and thought about all the houses I had ever lived in, some still standing, others long since gone. The memory of those places is precious, but it can also be a reminder that these houses of earth, wood, glass and stone are only temporary. The promise that Christ extends to those who believe and follow is that we have a "permanent place in the household," a dwelling in which we truly belong, an eternal home that he secures for us.
We give you thanks, Lord, for the place in which we live today, but remind us that our true home is always in you. By your grace, set us free to live in your house now and forever. Amen.
Tim Christensen, '94
Pastor, Gold Hill Evangelical Lutheran Church, Butte, Mont.
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, "You will be made free'?"
34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever.
36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.(New Revised Standard Version)

------- 

The Luther Seminary

2481 Como Avenue

St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States

Telephone: (651)641-3456-

-------