The Truth Will Make You Free

Again Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” Then the Jews said, “Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.” They said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him. 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.” John 8:21-32 

Great Creator of truth and love

there is nothing good apart from you

we are bound together by your love

our great sin is the binding of others.

You have formed us all in freedom

you love the mantle thrown over all

yet we would exclude and refuse

those who don't look and speak like us.

Some came to you for their healing

some followed you out of curiosity

some tested you because of fear

yet love brought them their freedom.

God, renew your truth within each of us

for people are bound and enslaved today

let love break every cruel chained heart

let your heart and truth be in each of us. Amen.