Daily Reading: John 8
Scripture Focus: Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. (John 8.9)
Devotional Thought: Have you ever disappointed someone? Have you ever had to face that person later - just the two of you alone? Not an experience I relish!
But, that's what it was like for the woman in John 8. The adulteress, caught in the sinful deed, was dragged before Jesus, a man of spotless moral integrity, a man who was pure not only in deed but also in motive. Surely, this was not a comfortable place for a sinner. I imagine she was like all of us, wanting to "get this over with" and move on. Perhaps she was searching for ways to justify herself, or to redirect Jesus' attention to her 'partner in crime' or even to blame her accusers. But, Jesus cut short her defense with the simple words, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
We are afraid to be alone with Jesus, but that is exactly what we need. It is in our personal moments with him that we find the forgiveness, the freedom and the love that says, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin so more." When there is nowhere to hide, we find that we don't need to hide after all. Jesus loves us. Jesus forgives us. Jesus sets us free.
There is coming a time when it will be just you and Jesus, just me and Jesus, when "the books will be opened" and we will be judged. Standing alone before Jesus, we will thank him that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!
Amen!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love! I come to you for forgiveness, for life, and for freedom. Help me to go out from this encounter to live a life of victory and purity. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 35.1-8
1 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! 2 Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! 3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”
4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! 5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! 6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!
7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. 8 Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it—to his destruction!
Comments