He Sets Men Free

The concept of Christian freedom is difficult. But people in bondage to slavery or individuals serving time in prison have claimed that Jesus sets them free. One youth said, I am free to love instead of hate.

Jesus teaches inner freedom as something separate from and different than outward conditions. He said, If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (Jn. 8:31,32 RSV)

This type of freedom occurs in the inner man, in the private life where we experience personal joy. It is freedom from the inclination to sin, and we need it at every stage of life regardless of our circumstances.

Our great joy is knowing Jesus as truth and allowing His truth to work in us. Jesus promises freedom.

Originally published January 8, 1982.

Picture: Karen's garden, Winona, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Perfectly Trained

Jesus said, A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. (Lk. 6:40 NKJV)

The reality of human experience is that although we might be trained, we aren’t perfectly trained in our walk as Christians. Training requires obedience, discipline, industry. We all fall short because we don’t have it in us to fulfill those requirements or to follow our Him perfectly. And so, none of us becomes perfectly trained.

Jesus was the one exception. Of all the people who have ever lived, only He was totally obedient, totally disciplined, totally industrious. Only He did not fall short, because He followed His Father perfectly. He understood training.

The writer of Hebrews says, though He [Jesus] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. (Heb. 5:8,9)

Because he was perfectly trained, Jesus revealed the nature of His Teacher. He was not above His Teacher; rather, He was like His Teacher. And He revealed His Father in Heaven.

Originally published June 19, 1987.
Picture: Flowers, Las Vegas, 2008. Photo by Solveig

"My brothers" & "Your Father"

After His resurrection, Jesus talked to Mary of Magdala in the garden of the tomb. She did not recognize Him—until He called her by name. Then she turned, fell at his feet, and cried out His title as Teacher in Aramaic, the common language of the region. “Rabboni!” she said. (Jn. 20:16b NIV)

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (v. 17)

In that intimate moment, Jesus called the disciples brothers, something He had not done before. Then, after referring to God as His Father, he added, and your Father . . .

With those few words, Jesus revealed that His death on Calvary had destroyed divisions. A division between God and His people had changed and a division between Jesus and the disciples had changed—both washed away by the Blood He shed on the cross.

Originally published April 8, 1983.

With the Eye of Faith

Jesus put a great deal of effort into the disciples. They were His trainees. Before He died, He said to Father God, “They were Yours. You gave them to Me . . . Now they have known all things which you have given Me are from You.” (Jn. 17:6b,7 NKJV)

Jesus said that even when He knew the disciples did not understand much of what He was saying to them. He even knew they would scatter at the time of His crucifixion. Yet He invested in the disciples because His Father told Him to—and because He believed His Father. He continued to pray and to work according to His Father’s Word concerning them.

Jesus looked at the disciples with the eye of faith, seeing not only who they were at the time, but who they would become. He believed they would develop into mature apostles. He even believed, in spite of how it seemed, that His time with them was bearing fruit, “Oh righteous Father!” he said, “The world has not known You . . . and these have known that You sent Me.” (v. 25)

Originally published November 30, 1990.

A Good Testimony

Testimonies can lead people to God.

John the Baptist had a good testimony because his message or testimony directed people toward Jesus. Two disciples received his testimony when he identified Jesus who was nearby at the time. He said,“Behold the Lamb of God!” (Jn. 1:36 NKJV)

The disciples didn’t fully understand John’s statement, but they knew it was important. After hearing John they accepted the invitation of Jesus. They came and saw where he [Jesus] was staying and remained with Him that day. . . . (v. 39 NKJV)

One of the two who heard John speak and who followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Because Andrew knew the value of a good testimony, he looked for Simon so he could tell him,"We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” (v. 41b,42a)

The event was a life-transforming experience for both brothers. It began with a testimony.

Originally published January 5, 1990.
Picture: Bee in cactus flower, Arizona, 2008. Photo by Patty