On Freedom in Christ and the Parable of the Forgiving Father

“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ Instead of responding to his words as the good news they are, Jesus’ hearers are offended. They buck at the idea that anyone has to set them free. “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” (John 8:31–33).