Daily Devotions

My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)

My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)
 
Day 
Day 128

The Difference Between a Slave and a Son

Text: John 8: 35-36

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SLAVE AND A SON

The Jews thought of the world as being made up of the two parts. They made up “Israel” and the rest of the world were called “Gentiles” (literal meaning… “the nations”). Jesus offered a different perspective. He distinguished between “a slave and a son”.

“And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

John 8:35-36

1. Households in the ancient days

a. The wealthier households had slaves to do the mundane or ordinary household chores.
b. There was a huge difference between a slave and a son.

2. Slaves

a. When a country was conquered the defeated enemies may be sold as slaves.
b. In the Roman Empire there were many slaves.
i. They were bought and sold in the market place.
ii. Slaves had few rights (if any at all).
iii. They were regarded as chattel (pieces of furniture/ things).
iv. Their lot in life was a very hard one.

3. “A slave does not abide in the house forever”

a. The status of a slave depends on the master.
b. Thus, his place in the household is not a permanent one.
c. He does not abide forever for he may be sold or even killed (if the master is evil).

4. “A son abides forever”

a. God can cause a person to become a child of God.
b. Sonship is what He offers anyone who has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
c. He may abide as a child of God forever!

5. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed”

a. A slave may be freed legally.
b. He can even become a son and be fully accepted in his new status as “son”.
c. Jesus the Son of God has the power and authority to make people become children of God (John 1:12).

经文:約翰福音 8:35-36

奴仆与儿子之间的差异

犹太人认为世界是由两部分组成的。他们组成“以色列”,世界其它各地被称为“外邦人”(字面意思是“国家们”)。耶稣提出了不同的观点。祂区分了“奴仆与儿子”。

“奴仆不能永远住在家里,儿子是永远住在家里。所以天父的儿子若叫你们自由,你们就真自由了。”

《约翰福音 8:35-36》

1. 古时的家庭

a. 较富裕的家庭有奴仆去做平凡或普通的家务
b. 奴仆和儿子之间有了巨大差异

2. 奴仆

a. 当一个国家被征服时,被击败的敌人可能被当作奴仆被出售
b. 在罗马帝国,有许多奴仆
i. 他们在市场上被买卖
ii. 奴仆几乎或甚至没有权利
iii. 他们被视为动产(家具/东西)
iv. 他们的生活非常艰难

3. “奴仆不能永远住在家里”

a. 奴仆的地位取决于主人
b. 因此,他在家中的地位不是永久的
c. 他不会永远存在,因为他可能被出售甚至被杀害(如果主人是邪恶的)

4. “儿子是永远住在家里”

a. 上帝可以使一个人成为上帝的儿女
b. 凡是在主耶稣基督里有信心的人都能成为祂的儿女
c. 他(或她)可以永远作上帝的儿女!

5. “所以天父的儿子若叫你们自由,你们就真自由了”

a. 奴仆可以合法地被释放
b. 他甚至可以成为一个儿子,并在作为 “儿子” 的新身份被完全接受
c. 耶稣,上帝的儿子,有权力和权柄使人成为上帝的儿女《约翰福音 1:12》