Happy New Year, everyone!
As we go into the New Year, let's remember the
grace of God and how much He loves us. Today's devotional comes from
John 8: "A crowd soon gathered, and he (Jesus) sat down and taught them.
As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees
brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her
in front of the crowd." (John 8:3 NIV)
These pharisees had no
compassion. They never placed any value in other people, only in
themselves. These Pharisees, however, had even less compassion than
usual, because their purpose in using this poor woman was to trap Him.
They knew that once a verdict was given, there would be no chance of the
woman going free.
"'Teacher,' they said to Jesus, 'this woman
was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her.
What do you say?'" (John 8:4-5 NIV)
To the Pharisees, the
laws of Moses had the final word. And since the laws of Moses said she
should be stoned, there would be no compassion. This was not the first
time the Pharisees would condemn someone by the laws of Moses, and it
wouldn't be the last.
What the people didn't
know, however, was that the Pharisees were sinners as well. They had
just become very good at hiding it! This is why Jesus said: "'All right,
but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!' Then he
stooped down again and wrote in the dust." (John 8:8 NIV)
We aren't told what it
was that Jesus wrote, but we can assume that Jesus was writing the sins
of the Pharisees in the sand, for the Bible says: "When the accusers
heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest,
until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman."
(John 8:9 NIV)
When these Pharisees saw their own sins, they
were suddenly no longer interested in stoning this poor woman. They were
far more interested in hiding their own sins because they, themselves,
deserved to be stoned!
The Pharisees had
looked on the woman with hate. Jesus looked upon her with mercy: "Then
Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, 'Where are your accusers?
Didn't even one of them condemn you?'" 'No, Lord,' she said. And Jesus
said, 'Neither do I. Go and sin no more.'" (John 8:10-11 NIV)
Should we be surprised
that Jesus saved the life of this woman? He is, after all, our Saviour!
Soon he would be crucified and would die for all of our sins, and those
who accept His offer will be free forever!
These Pharisees
reminds me to some churches. Through the years I have received a lot of
email from women who have been attacked by their pastors or priests.
These women had no idea what to do. After all, their attacker was their
pastor!
It is important to remember that although
these men were pastors or priests, they were not of God. God would never
condone abuse. If this happens to you, I recommend that you leave that
church for good. forever. These pastors are not from God. Don't follow
them!
Remember: You are saved when you accept Jesus
as your Saviour. He died for you. Listen to Jesus. Do not put the words
of your pastors ahead of Jesus!
We all need to remind
ourselves every day that: "…the law was given through Moses, but grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17 NIV). Accept Jesus into
your heart. Trust Him. He will accept you, He will protect you. Jesus
will always respond with: "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of
them condemn you?...Neither do I. Go and sin no more." (John 8: 10-11
NIV)
When you follow Jesus, you are free. He loves
you, He cares for you, and nothing can stop Jesus from saving you
forever! That's what happened when Grace came down to this Earth!
Rob Chaffart