Lent Day 22 [03.14.2026] Children of the Truth

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32

Scripture: John 8:31-59

Our devotional reading takes us through one of Jesus’ most famous statements: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” These words deeply confused those around Jesus because to claim freedom for an individual would mean that they were in some way in bondage before. They cite their forefather Abraham and exclaim that they have never been slaves to anyone, but Jesus proclaims that freedom comes from the Son of God alone.

How can Jesus claim that He is the truth? We know that Jesus spoke truth but how do we know that He is in fact the truth and has the power to set us free from our bondage to sin? Jesus challenges those around Him and reminds us today that His words are embedded in His sinless nature.

46 – “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?”

Jesus spoke the truth without a single blemish of hypocrisy because He fulfilled the law, prophecies, and will of God. Not a single person could sight Jesus sinning against God and from this perfect nature poured out the truth that would set us free from the darkness we were once bound to. The Israelites believed that the law and their bloodline with Abraham would save them, but Jesus shows them that if they truly honored their forefather Abraham they would do as he did and accept the truth of God. At this, the people tried to stone him but Jesus slips away.

There are times in our walk of faith we forget that the person of Jesus is our salvation. Jesus does not just speak truth; Jesus is the absolute truth. In Jesus we find the origin of all things, the answer to all our doubts, and the substance of our faith. Beyond the doings of Jesus, we know that it is the person of Jesus we are called to believe in. Who He is becomes the foundation of our belief and salvation rests on accepting Jesus Himself into our lives as Lord and King. The signs and wonders point to the real substance of our faith that is the personal relationship we are called to have with Jesus Christ.

Reflection:

1.     How can we build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

2.     What truth about Jesus Christ inspires you the most to desire a relationship with Him?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the absolute truth you provide through Jesus Christ. I want to grow in my personal relationship with you and build my faith around who you are. Help me to receive this truth that sets me free from shame and sin. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 진리의 자녀들본문: 요한복음 8:31–59

오늘의 묵상 본문은 예수님의 가장 유명한 말씀 중 하나를 보여줍니다.“너희가 내 말에 거하면 참으로 내 제자가 되고 진리를 알지니 진리가 너희를 자유롭게 하리라.”

이 말씀은 예수님 주변에 있던 사람들을 깊이 혼란스럽게 했습니다. 어떤 사람이 자유롭게 된다는 것은 그 이전에 어떤 형태로든 속박되어 있었다는 의미이기 때문입니다. 그들은 자신들의 조상 아브라함을 언급하며 우리는 아무에게도 종이 된 적이 없다고 주장합니다. 그러나 예수님은 참된 자유는 오직 하나님의 아들을 통해서만 온다고 선포하십니다.

그렇다면 예수님은 어떻게 자신이 진리라고 말씀하실 수 있을까요? 예수님이 진리를 말씀하신 것은 알지만, 어떻게 그분이 진리 자체이며 죄의 속박에서 우리를 자유롭게 하실 수 있는 분이라는 것을 알 수 있을까요?

예수님은 주변 사람들에게 이렇게 도전하십니다.

46절“너희 중에 누가 나를 죄로 책잡겠느냐? 내가 진리를 말하는데도 어찌하여 나를 믿지 아니하느냐?”

예수님은 위선의 흔적 하나 없는 완전한 삶으로 진리를 말씀하셨습니다. 그분은 율법과 예언, 그리고 하나님의 뜻을 완전히 성취하셨습니다. 누구도 예수님이 하나님 앞에서 죄를 지었다고 말할 수 없었습니다. 바로 이 완전한 본성에서 우리를 어둠과 죄의 속박에서 자유롭게 하는 진리가 흘러나옵니다.

이스라엘 사람들은 율법과 아브라함의 혈통이 자신들을 구원할 것이라고 믿었습니다. 그러나 예수님은 그들에게 만약 그들이 진정으로 아브라함을 존중한다면 아브라함이 했던 것처럼 하나님의 진리를 받아들여야 한다고 말씀하십니다. 이 말에 사람들은 분노하여 예수님을 돌로 치려 했지만, 예수님은 그들 가운데서 벗어나십니다.

우리의 신앙생활 속에서도 때때로 예수님이라는 인격 자체가 우리의 구원이라는 사실을 잊어버릴 때가 있습니다. 예수님은 단지 진리를 말씀하시는 분이 아니라 예수님 자신이 바로 절대적인 진리이십니다.

예수님 안에서 우리는모든 것의 기원,우리의 의문에 대한 답,그리고 우리의 믿음을 이루는 본질을 발견합니다.

예수님이 행하신 일들보다 더 중요한 것은 예수님이라는 존재 자체입니다. 우리의 믿음과 구원은 예수님이 누구신지를 받아들이는 것, 그리고 그분을 우리 삶의 주와 왕으로 영접하는 것 위에 세워집니다.

예수님의 표적과 기적은 결국 우리가 예수 그리스도와 인격적인 관계를 맺도록 인도하는 표지판입니다.

묵상 질문

1. 우리는 어떻게 예수 그리스도와 인격적인 관계를 세워 갈 수 있을까요?

2. 예수 그리스도에 대한 어떤 진리가 당신이 그분과의 관계를 더욱 사모하게 만드나요?

   
   

기도

하나님 아버지, 예수 그리스도를 통해 우리에게 절대적인 진리를 주심에 감사드립니다. 주님과의 인격적인 관계 안에서 더욱 성장하기 원합니다. 주님의 존재 위에 저의 믿음을 세우게 하시고, 죄와 수치에서 자유케 하는 이 진리를 받아들이게 도와주십시오. 예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.