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This is going to be a place where I process my Bible reading. |
| Welcome to my Bible reading journey. I find that I process information better when I write/respond to it. This blog is simply a place where I can write down my thoughts about God's word. If you are reading I hope you get something out of it. Feel free to comment your take on the verses. Enjoy! |
| Today's verses: John 8:1-11 In today's verses, Jesus goes to the mount of Olives. He went to the temple to teach. The scribes and Pharisees basically wanted to tempt Jesus. They brought Him a woman who was found to be adulterous. They asked Him what to do with her. Know according to the outdated law, she was to be stoned. Jesus bent down and began writing in the sand. He told them that anyone who was without sin should cast the first stone. They were all convicted and eventually left. He then asked her if anyone had stayed to condemn her, When she responded no, He told her that He didn't either. Picture this. Jesus is teaching (probably to a crowd). The scribes and Pharisees come busting up into the meeting looking haughty and self-satisfied (at least this is the picture in my mind). They already have an outcome in mind. They just know they are going to be triumphant in tripping up Jesus in front of all these people. It is like a show down between rivals. Now in today's time this situation would clearly blow up. I know I have seen this on social media. One group puts out information. An opposing group begins to immediately throw shade, cast doubt etc. Then the original group gets heated right back and tempers flare and chaos resumes. This happens in regards to politics, race, religion, parenting, and etc. But that is not what Jesus did. He didn't get into anyone's face and throw His truth at them. In fact to took a minute to draw in the sand. He took a moment to take a break (maybe talk to God) and get Himself together. When we immediately react in an angry, defensive way we are not reacting out of love. God is Love. That is the WHOLE point. Jesus didn't tell them off because if He had of it would have resulted in exactly what the scribes and Pharisees wanted. They would have gained ammunition against HIm. Instead he paused. I feel like, more than every today, we need to always be willing to take a break. Once we speak hurtful words or make a vengeful post, that can not be taken back. Its not our enemies who it will hurt, but the people who are watching our lives. It can ruin our testimony. Don't get me wrong. We know the story when Jesus got angry in the temple. He has also shown in previous verses that He wasn't afraid to call people out. But there is a time for everything. We need to really be willing to "draw in the sand" and make sure that we are reacting in a way that builds our testimony not crushes it. I also really appreciate the fact that Jesus didn't need to try hard to defend His beliefs. He asked a simple question, and the people were moved to examine themselves. At the end He even asked the woman where were the ones who condemned her. She answered they were gone: they didn't condemn Her. I feel like sometimes the hardest one to convince or forgiveness is ourselves. We think we have done too much or are too bad. People couldn't and wouldn't forgive us. It doesn't matter how many times we are told that we are forgiven, we might not believe. That is why I think it is important for the woman to utter those words. Then Jesus could tell her that He forgave her as well. Forgiveness is a powerful thing. |
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