Scripture:
John 8:3-11
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?... [H]e straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 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….
Forgiveness
She was caught in the act…. She was dragged and forced into a public gathering place, she was humiliated by her sin, she was separated from everyone, no one to protect her, judged by everyone. (How many of you started wondering if I was talking about you and your life.) Well …Let me continue… She was sentenced to death without trial by self-righteous leaders and placed before the King of Kings. Sounds like a modern-day soap opera if you ask me.
And yet many of us have been there.
As I read John 8, I could clearly see two different voices that speak to our situation in life. Think about it – The voice of critics condemns and criticize, destroy, mock and humiliate. Their methods are to use any means available to exploit our weakness and our failures. Then there is the voice of Jesus, love, mercy and forgiveness.
Do you think it was accidental that the Pharisees caught the woman in the act of adultery. They were setting Jesus up. Did they set the ultimate trap? Remember, they were threatened by Jesus’ teachings, so I guess they thought they could finally had something on Jesus… He was going tohave to choose between his teaching of love, mercy and forgiveness or obeying the Old Testament Law. So what Did Jesus do?
Jesus confronts her sin with love and provides a better way to live. Jesus did not condemn her. Instead, he declared “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11.
What have we learned from this story? Confess your sins and Jesus is faithful and righteous to forgive us and to cleanse us for all our shortcomings. Dear friends, let us accept the forgiveness offered by Jesus. Then go and sin no more!
Reflection Written by Deedee Huffman, Youth Director
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us.
We repent of our sins and seek to do only Your will.
In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen.
Please take a moment to consider what God is speaking to you through the scripture passage and the devotional reflection.
Then, take some time for prayer—pray for the nourishment of your own soul and lift us up to the Lord. Let us seek God's grace and love, which embrace and empower us!
You can also listen to the music provided below as a backdrop
for your time of prayer.
Forgiven by Crowder