JESUS SPEAKING

      Now early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down and taught them.  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery.  And when they had set her in the midst, they spoke, saying to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery.  Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned.  But what do you say?”  This they said testing him, that they might have something of which to accuse him.  But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger, as though he did not hear.  So, when they continued asking him, he raised himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”  And again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.  And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  When Jesus had raised himself up and saw no one other than the woman, he said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours?  Has no one condemned you?”  She said, “No one, Lord.”  And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8: 2 – 11.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

      The Pharisees had likely heard Jesus teaching about the importance of grace and forgiveness.  So, they brought to him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.  Under Old Testament (Mosaic) law, she was to be stoned to death.  The religious leaders had hoped he would show mercy and speak out against God’s commandments.  However, instead of condemning her, Jesus placed her fate squarely in the hands of her accusers (but not before reminding them of their own sins.)  To condemn her would be to invite God’s judgment upon themselves.  Therefore, those who wished to continue receiving the Lord’s mercy had no choice but to be merciful.  One by one they threw down their stones until no one was left to condemn her.

      In the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 7, verse 21, we are given the reason why many individuals find it difficult to show mercy.  Verse 21 reads, “Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.  For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others.”  According to Solomon, forgetting our own past sins, will result in anger and an inability to forgive.  The key to showing mercy then, is to be aware of our own shortcomings; and to remember God’s forgiveness [Note:  There was a time when driving in traffic was extremely frustrating for me.  Whenever someone would accidently cut me off, I would become angry and bitter.  One day however, someone swerved into my lane; but for the first time my reaction was quite different.  I remember a feeling of peaceful acceptance wash over me.  The peace came from my mind; and from a single thought; on past occasions I myself had unknowingly strayed into other people’s lanes.  I too was guilty of accidently cutting off other drivers.  Having remembered my own imperfection, I was able to accept and forgive another human being for their imperfection.]

      Whenever we feel bitterness, anger, and hatred toward others, it is likely that we have forgotten who we are.  We are sinners saved by grace; we are imperfect human beings who make mistakes.  When we remember rightly that we are inadequate and deficient without Christ, we will experience true humility.  How then can we refuse to forgive others when God has forgiven us of our sins? 

      “Lord Heavenly Father, we desire humility as we seek after Your truth.  May we never forget that we are sinners saved by grace.  Remove any bitterness that rests within us and replace it with love and understanding.  May we continually receive Your mercy, and may we bestow that same mercy upon others.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you!