May 16, 2024
DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 16, 2024
Scripture: John 8:2-11 – “2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
What it means
Here’s yet another example of God and His radical grace – more on that to come during our message on Sunday! It seems like Jesus was always butting heads with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. He must have been viewed as a threat, because they were constantly going after him – trying to trip Him up on a legal technicality that would somehow undermine His ministry. It never worked out very well for them – Jesus was always so cool, and very quietly but effectively made His point and put the others in their place. During this exchange, the Pharisees had caught a woman in the very act of adultery. This would be easy – she was caught dead to rights, no debating that…even Jesus couldn’t get her out of this. She would be stoned to death according to the letter of the law…except that Jesus had one simple question for everyone. “Is there anybody out there who is without sin? If so, then step up to the plate – you can toss the ceremonial first pitch/stone at her, and then everybody else can follow suit.” One by one, they slunk away quietly…”the older ones first.” And then Jesus actually forgave the woman. Notice that He didn’t approve of her sin – He told her to go home, get a fresh start, and “leave your life of sin.” So no approval, but no condemnation either. A fresh start, and chance to try again…all because of the grace and mercy of Our Lord and Savior!
What it means to me
Unfortunately, there are many examples of stone-throwers in our world today - those who are just interested in trying to blame others, trying to show how right they are…as opposed to trying to love and support and encourage. Let’s face it, our world is tough for everybody, and I don’t know of anybody that is operating at the top of their game right now. We’re all struggling to a certain extent…and what we really need now, more than justice, is some grace and some mercy. Even though it may be tempting to toss a few stones in the direction of those who we think are wrong somehow, maybe we can stuff those back in our pocket for the time being. Let’s pull together. Let’s find a way to get along with each other. Let’s love each other, and encourage each other, and be there for our brothers and sisters. That will bring a smile to The Lord’s face, even more than being right about something.
Love you guys, talk to you on Sunday!
In Christ,
Brian