Have you ever thought about what true freedom is? It seems to have different meanings to different people. To a 3-year-old, it might mean putting their hand in the cookie jar as many times as they want! To a man with a life sentence in prison, I’d imagine freedom means something very different. A teenager might say it’s unlimited time on their phone or listening to music for hours on end. For a busy mom, the answer could mean an uninterrupted bubble bath! For some, the idea of a diverse financial portfolio, stock, bonds, or large IRA makes them feel free.  

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For Christmas, I received a MacBook. Trying to navigate this new tech and get anything done is almost impossible! I want so badly to go back to the way I know and have the freedom to accomplish…something! What’s the difference between a toolbar and a dock anyway! (The struggle is real!) What is freedom for you?

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In our verse today, at a time when slaves were commonplace, Jesus invites his listeners to compare their knowledge about slaves and sons. Immediately, his audience knows that these are two very different things. The ideas of belonging, permanence, and inheritance would instantly come to their minds. In their context, slaves are owned, many because of a debt they owe. Slaves may work to pay off their debts and gain their freedom at their own “expense.” Slaves must do their masters’ will; the work they do is at the command of another – it isn’t work they do from love or choice. Punishment follows commands not obeyed for the slave, correction to remind them of their low place and make them subjects. They are not met with too much emotion, and only basic needs are met for them. Trading and selling of slaves was common – their place in a family was not permanent; the parents and children could even be split up. The hearers of Jesus would also understand that a slave certainly would take no part in the sharing of property or any kind of wealth upon the death of their owner; in fact, they were the master’s property and would be either sold or passed to an heir.  

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Sons, or heirs, on the other hand, were free to do their own will. As dependents, any debts were paid by the family; they didn’t owe anything. The work of a good heir would be toward taking over the family business, learning the father’s ways, and copying them. This work was largely in line with the will of the heir and the father, a collaborative effort. Correction for a son would come from a place of love; a rebuke was meant for the good of the recipient, to better them in order that they could meet the future more prepared. Love and care were shown to a son in a way a slave would never know; guidance, nurturing, and time was invested for his betterment. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, an heir would never be traded or sold; their place was permanent. At the passing of the master, an heir would be given everything that belongs to the father, then the heir would continue in the father’s work using everything he’d been taught and given to forge ahead. Out of love, the heir carries on the master’s work.

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And so, I believe, we reach the real meaning of freedom.

Are we working with the Master to be shaped into his heir, free to do his work out of love? This is true freedom! Freedom is the ability to live a righteous and joyful life with God continuing in the work of Jesus. I know it’s hard, and it may even feel foreign to live this way. The urge to revert back, to live the old familiar way instead of learning from the Mac…uh, Master, is real! But…remember the resources at hand. Your debt of sin is paid by Jesus, and now you’re being prepared to be an heir of God. The Spirit is living inside of you. An amazing message of abundant life has been entrusted to you. You have a heavenly home being prepared for you where sin is no more! You’re surrounded by a community ready to give you guidance and love.  

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Won’t you choose freedom today?

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God of freedom, won’t you bring us to life today? Wake us to the knowledge of Jesus and the life he brings in abundance! Rescue us from slavery and bring us into an eternal sonship. We ask your Spirit to guide, protect and restore us as we pursue your will and purposes whole heartedly. Free us from the sin that easily entangles and allow us to rest in your will with your resources at the ready. Let us linger in your loving presence with our permanent place secure as heirs joyfully continuing your mission. Amen.