The truth shall set you free

The Jews did not understand when Jesus said that the truth would set them free, for they said, "We have never been in bondage to anyone." How little they knew their own history. Did they not know of the severe servitude of their fathers in the land of Egypt under harsh taskmasters, until Moses delivered them? Had they forgotten the Babylonian Captivity of 70 years until allowed to return home under King Cyrus? And these things happened for their, and our, learning. For they betoken the more severe and serious bondage wall have under sin. Have we forgotten? We were born children of Adam, and thus by nature sinful. But to know Jesus is to be freed from this bondage, for he declared that he always did those things that please his Father. Since this is so, therefore when he was lifted up on the cross, it was for us, for our redemption and salvation. And we in him gain righteousness: now it may be said of us, in spite of what we are by nature, that we always please the Father. This is the gift of being clothed in Christ's righteousness. And so in him we gain eternal freedom and life. Sermon for Midweek of Cantate.