Free Indeed 真自由
Dexu Xia
Free Indeed
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
The film Amistad tells the story of West African slaves in 1839 taking over the boat that was transporting them and killing the captain and some of the crew. Eventually they were recaptured, imprisoned, and taken to trial. An unforgettable courtroom scene features Cinqué, leader of the slaves, passionately pleading for freedom. Three simple words—repeated with increasing force by a shackled man with broken English—eventually silenced the courtroom, “Give us free!” Justice was served and the men were freed.
Most people today aren’t in danger of being physically bound, yet true liberation from the spiritual bondage of sin remains elusive. The words of Jesus in John 8:36 offer sweet relief: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Jesus pointed to Himself as the source of true emancipation because He offers forgiveness to anyone who believes in Him. Though some in Christ’s audience claimed freedom (v. 33), their words, attitudes, and actions regarding Jesus betrayed their claim.
Jesus longs to hear those who would echo Cinqué’s plea and say, “Give me freedom!” With compassion He awaits the cries of those who are shackled by unbelief or fear or failure. Freedom is a matter of the heart. Such liberty is reserved for those who believe that Jesus is God’s Son who was sent into the world to break the power of sin’s hold on us through His death and resurrection.
How has Jesus set you free? What can you share with others about God’s liberating power?
Jesus, help me to believe that You can set me free.
真自由
天父的儿子若叫你们自由，你们就真自由了。—约翰福音8章36节
电影《勇者无惧》讲述在1839年，一群遭受绑架的西非黑人抢夺了运载他们的船只，并杀了船长及部分船员。结果，他们再次被逮捕、囚禁并接受审讯。一幕令人难忘的法庭情景，描绘了黑奴领袖辛格热切激昂地恳求自由。这个戴着镣铐的男人以不流利的英语，重复说着：“给我们自由！”呐喊声越来越大，最终使法庭鸦雀无声，正义得以伸张，这些黑奴获得释放。
现今，很多人并非身体受到捆绑，而是受到罪的辖制，不能得到真正的释放。在约翰福音8章36节，耶稣说了那令人得安慰的话：“所以天父的儿子若叫你们自由，你们就真自由了。”耶稣指出，祂自己就是使人得到真自由的源头，因为任何人只要相信祂，就可得到赦免。虽然当时有些在场的人声称，他们是自由的（33节），但他们对耶稣的态度及行为，以及对耶稣的评论，却与他们所说的相违背。
耶稣渴望听到人们像辛格一样恳求说：“给我自由！”祂满怀怜悯地等待那些被不信、恐惧或失败所束缚的人，向祂发出这样的呼求。真自由是心灵得释放。人若相信耶稣是上帝的儿子，祂降世为要藉着受死及复活来打破罪的权势，使我们不再受罪的捆绑，便能真自由了！
主耶稣，帮助我相信，祢能让我得自由。
耶稣如何释放你？你要与谁分享？