And

“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”  John 8:32

And – Do you know what a “sound byte” is?  It’s that 15 seconds of news where you hear someone say something relevant.  But have you ever noticed that the sound byte usually begins in the middle of someone’s speech and ends before they are done.  Now you know what’s wrong with a “sound byte”.  A sound byte leaves out the context.  We only get to hear what the reporter wants us to hear.

Don’t make this verse a sound byte!  It sounds wonderful.  It has the right words.  Truth.  Freedom.  Oh, my, these are so emotionally loaded for us.  Knowing the truth.  That age-old question.  That promised land of certainty.  So, we focus our full attention on the sound byte and we forget a very important word:  and. 

“and you shall know the truth,”.  Something came before that is connected with this thought about truth and freedom.  Something of consequence.  Something so important that it is the reason we shall know the truth.  If we miss John 8:31, how will be ever understand John 8:32?  We are fond of quoting John 8:32 because it sounds so wonderful, but unless we have come to grips with John 8:31, we might as well hear sound bytes from heaven’s radio station.  We just won’t have a clue what Jesus is really talking about.

Kai is the Greek word for “and”.  As you can imagine, it is used thousands of times.  That does not make it irrelevant.  Here it is a logical and a theological connector.  It bridges one thought with another.  So, what are the thoughts that kai brings together. 

“If you continually practice what I am teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth.”  Suddenly there are conditions.  If you continue in my word.  If you are really my servants.  If you have made me your Master.  Then you will know the truth.  Knowing the truth and being set free is contingent upon discipleship.  Not everyone who hears the sound byte will find the truth.  Not everyone who tunes in will be set free.  The words don’t mean anything outside the context and the context is discipleship.  Truth and freedom do not come easy.   Do you want to know them?  Then obey.  Be a disciple.