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