‘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 8:31-42
Jesus talks about “true disciples”, so obviously there are false ones! He points out that the hallmark of a true disciple is to “remain in my word”! In doing so, He promises that there will be great spiritual benefits of knowing the truth and being free.
Do I remain in Jesus’ word? Do I ‘walk the walk’? In other words, do I say I believe in Christ but my attitudes and behaviours are totally opposite to the way Jesus taught us to be disciples? Am I only a hearer and not a doer of the Word?
As we approach Holy Week, it is an ideal time for us to reflect on these questions and to be open to the truths that may confront us. These, however, will lead us to the genuine freedom that Jesus – the Way, The Truth, and the Life, alone can offer. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he offers us freedom from, among other things, the power of sin. fear, selfishness, hatred, anger and pride.