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Bible Study for Reformation Sunday - October 27th
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Read John 8:31-36
It is easy to imagine Jesus shaking his head in response to the comments of the Jews. Like a loving parent left speechless when a child totally misses the point, Jesus might have even given a deep sigh as he tried again to help them make sense of “freedom.”
Already, Jesus has attempted to connect the dots for his listeners. It’s a simple equation:
Continue in my word = know the truth = be set free
But to the Jews, the equation does not add up. They challenge the need to be freed and claim to have never been slaves to anyone. Apparently, they have forgotten their own ancestors enslaved in Egypt and forced to make bricks. These ancestors cried out to God for freedom, and God sent Moses to lead them to freedom. Each year in the Festival of the Passover, the Jews remember their gift of freedom.
Yet the history of Israel is not only a story of freedom, but it also includes years of occupation by foreign governments including the Assyrians and Babylonians. During the life of Jesus, it is Rome who occupied the land. The Jews have limited freedom in their own country, a land promised and given to them by God. Many had hoped the Messiah would overthrow the Roman government and return freedom to Israel. But Jesus offers a new perspective.
Jesus is not dealing with enslavement to a government or political structure. Instead, Jesus focuses on sin and being a slave to sin. Sin is more than an error or failure. Jesus paints a bigger picture than that. Sin is separation from God and includes all that becomes a barrier between people and God. Sin often blinds us from seeing our own enslavement to sin. This is what happened to the Jews in John 8.
The Jews seem to be so enslaved to the correctness of their own heritage; that they miss who Jesus is and his message for them. Jesus urges them to stay connected and rooted in the Word.
Prayer
Christ, free us from the shackles which bind and loosen our hearts to love. Amen
It is easy to imagine Jesus shaking his head in response to the comments of the Jews. Like a loving parent left speechless when a child totally misses the point, Jesus might have even given a deep sigh as he tried again to help them make sense of “freedom.”
Already, Jesus has attempted to connect the dots for his listeners. It’s a simple equation:
Continue in my word = know the truth = be set free
But to the Jews, the equation does not add up. They challenge the need to be freed and claim to have never been slaves to anyone. Apparently, they have forgotten their own ancestors enslaved in Egypt and forced to make bricks. These ancestors cried out to God for freedom, and God sent Moses to lead them to freedom. Each year in the Festival of the Passover, the Jews remember their gift of freedom.
- Why did the Jews who responded to Jesus have so much trouble understanding freedom?
Yet the history of Israel is not only a story of freedom, but it also includes years of occupation by foreign governments including the Assyrians and Babylonians. During the life of Jesus, it is Rome who occupied the land. The Jews have limited freedom in their own country, a land promised and given to them by God. Many had hoped the Messiah would overthrow the Roman government and return freedom to Israel. But Jesus offers a new perspective.
- What made it so difficult for the listeners to comprehend Jesus?
- What did they need to be freed from?
Jesus is not dealing with enslavement to a government or political structure. Instead, Jesus focuses on sin and being a slave to sin. Sin is more than an error or failure. Jesus paints a bigger picture than that. Sin is separation from God and includes all that becomes a barrier between people and God. Sin often blinds us from seeing our own enslavement to sin. This is what happened to the Jews in John 8.
The Jews seem to be so enslaved to the correctness of their own heritage; that they miss who Jesus is and his message for them. Jesus urges them to stay connected and rooted in the Word.
- What is the relationship between being a disciple of Jesus, the Word, and freedom?
- Describe a person who “continues in the Word.”
Prayer
Christ, free us from the shackles which bind and loosen our hearts to love. Amen
Prayer Petitions for this week
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Gail, Roberto, Nancy, Carol, and Jean.
-Look around and listen to the people you have encountered today. Remember in your prayers their joys, struggles, questions and sorrows.
-Pray for the Lutheran World Federation’s global study of contemporary Lutheran identities as they are lived in the local contexts of Lutheran churches, and for the leaders now gathering for “We Believe in the Holy Spirit: Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identity,” a global consultation hosted by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
-Pray that we will be bold witnesses, evangelists and teachers inspired, equipped and sent by the Spirit and our sisters and brothers in Christ to proclaim the gospel and to counsel, encourage and help people to discern truth from falsehood.
-Give thanks for the ELCA’s long-standing commitment to interreligious and ecumenical relations that promote understanding among Christians and greater unity among Christ’s people.
-With humility and gratitude, give thanks to God, the creator of all that exists, for being our sure and trustworthy help throughout life.
-Give thanks for musicians, composers and writers who share their gifts and skills to help us give expression to our faith and worship and to praise God together through hymns, music, songs and liturgies.
-Praise God! Give thanks that Jesus — the light and truth given for the world — sets us free from sin and the bondage of death, and transforms us for lives of love, mercy, peacemaking, serving our neighbor and sharing the good news with everyone.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Gail, Roberto, Nancy, Carol, and Jean.
-Look around and listen to the people you have encountered today. Remember in your prayers their joys, struggles, questions and sorrows.
-Pray for the Lutheran World Federation’s global study of contemporary Lutheran identities as they are lived in the local contexts of Lutheran churches, and for the leaders now gathering for “We Believe in the Holy Spirit: Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identity,” a global consultation hosted by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
-Pray that we will be bold witnesses, evangelists and teachers inspired, equipped and sent by the Spirit and our sisters and brothers in Christ to proclaim the gospel and to counsel, encourage and help people to discern truth from falsehood.
-Give thanks for the ELCA’s long-standing commitment to interreligious and ecumenical relations that promote understanding among Christians and greater unity among Christ’s people.
-With humility and gratitude, give thanks to God, the creator of all that exists, for being our sure and trustworthy help throughout life.
-Give thanks for musicians, composers and writers who share their gifts and skills to help us give expression to our faith and worship and to praise God together through hymns, music, songs and liturgies.
-Praise God! Give thanks that Jesus — the light and truth given for the world — sets us free from sin and the bondage of death, and transforms us for lives of love, mercy, peacemaking, serving our neighbor and sharing the good news with everyone.
Reflections on the Resurrection Stories in John's Gospel |
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Lent 2019 -
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Jesus often taught the crowds through powerful stories that feel just as contemporary today as they did 2000 years ago. These wonderful stories allow us to see the world of the first century through the eyes of first century followers of Jesus. Join us on this journey through 5 parables from the Gospel of Luke as we peel back the layers to discover how these parables simultaneously comfort and challenge us. Dig into the culture of the original hearers of these stories that challenge our assumptions about God, the world, our neighbors, and ourselves.
Once Upon a Time: The Beauty and Challenge of Story Week 1 - Are All Samaritans Good? Week 2 - Lost Things Week 3 - A Lost Son Week 4 - A Lost Brother Week 5 - A Feast for the Ones the World Forgot Reflections on Holy Week |
Lent 2018 |
The gospel of John tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a poignant, dramatic, and unique voice. In this Lenten Bible study, you are invited to enter into John’s world and encounter those who were a part of Jesus’ final days.
Introduction to the Gospel of John Week 1 – Nicodemus: Journey from Darkness to Light Week 2 – Judas: Journey to the Dark Side Week 3 – Peter: Journey to Understanding Week 4 – Mary Magdalene: Journey to Life Week 5 – The Beloved Disciple: Our Journey to Faithfulness |
Advent 2017 |
Pastor Joanne made a series of videos with a message for each week of the Advent season. Please follow this link to see those messages
Advent videos 2017 |
