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

Americans like to believe we are all rugged individualists, self-starters, entrepreneurs and completely independent. The truth is, we are all dependent on the land, other people, our relatives, and all the named and unnamed folks whose shoulders we stand on. The truth we often don't want to hear is that we are not self-made, we are made in the image of God, and raise by many villages of folks who help us day after day. Jesus understood his Connection, interrelation and dependence with the Father, and that he did nothing on his own. May we rejoice and give thanks today for those who have come before us and on who shoulders we stand.

Wondrous Creator, we are made in your image

from the dust of the stars and frail sodden earth

you plant us in families and large communities

who feed us, protect us and help us to grow.

We often thin we do not need you or others

we believe that we are so special and unique

we pretend we do not need the help of others

until our world collapses into failure and hurt.

Help us today to see the strings that bind us together

the hands and hearts that have held us so close

and the vast array of faithful ones who sustained us

so that we can be grateful and carry on your love. Amen.