Forgiveness- but Leaving Sin

 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say?” 6They 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. 7When 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.” 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At 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. 10Jesus 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.” (John 8)

Thoughts:  The Pharisees did not really want to listen to what Jesus said.  They wanted to trap Jesus.  But they ended up listening to Jesus anyway.  They listened to Him because their personal guilt at being judgmental and being sinners overwhelmed them.  We do not know what Jesus wrote on the ground.  Perhaps it was that all sin.  That Jesus wrote something indicates he was literate (contra some skeptics).  They ended up listening to Jesus and melting away in their judgmentalism.  The woman also listened to Jesus.  He asked her if they were able to condemn her- and she answered they could not.  Then he told her he did not condemn her- but forgave her.  Then he told her to go- but also told her to not sin anymore.  Jesus forgives us when we mess up.  But part of that is a recognition that we have indeed messed up and we shouldn't mess up again.  Too many stop only at the part where Jesus tells the woman, "Neither do I condemn you."  But Jesus also said to go and sin no more.  Lent is a great time to listen to these words.  Faithful listening to Jesus means trying to please Him.  Adultery is not the only sin- so no one could condemn her.  Yet it is indeed a sin- and should be left. 

Prayer: Lord. Give me grace to embrace your forgiveness- but also give me grace to leave my sin out of love for you.   

Believing Allows Hearing

YuuJohn 8:42-47 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Thoughts: Jesus is amazed that they could not hear His message- or hear the truth.  In the end He says a very strong but important statement, "The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."  God is the One who opens our ears.  He awakens us or regenerates us.  Without God's help our ears do not hear properly.  Despite what we might think, not everyone is teachable.  The basics have to be there.  The same with our soul.  It is not intelligence but responsiveness that matters.  Our first task is to give ourselves in belief and trust in God.

Prayer: Lord, awaken faith in me that I may hear and believe.

2/26/14- Jesus and Adulterous Woman Jn 8

1but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say?” 6They 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. 7When 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.”8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.(John 8:1-8)

Thoughts: Jesus kept putting himself on center stage, despite those who were trying to kill him.  He came once more to the Temple.  The Pharisees and religious teachers were setting a trap for Jesus.  Moses said someone caught in adultery is worthy of death.  The Roman Law said that the Jews had no authority to kill anyone.  By the end of this conversation, the Jews were trying to stone Jesus for his divine claims- no matter what Roman Law said. Jesus did not answer them directly, and took some time to answer.  He wrote in the sand, and while he did tempers and emotions diffused.  What did he write?  We really don't know.  Theories abound.  Maybe he wrote, "He who is without sin let them cast the first stone."  Maybe he wrote the commandment of Moses found in Deuteronomy 22:22-24.  Some say it was a reference or contrast to God's finger writing the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments.  After he said his peace, he went back to writing.  

But his peace is a reminder that we are all worthy of stoning.  We all break the Law and are worthy of death.  The one without sin could throw the first stone.  No one there was without sin.  Jesus was without sin, but he did not condemn her but gave her a second chance saying, "Go and sin no more."  We should all be slow to condemn and quick to listen.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your wisdom.  Help me to have more wisdom like you.  Help me to be slow to speak, slow to wrath and quick to listen.