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
P.S. In October and November of last year, the Illustrator featured a series of true stories of modern-day miracles, written by Answers2Prayer volunteers and subscribers, in the series, "There is ALWAYS Hope"! More stories have come in, and these will be featured in the Sunday and Wednesday editions of The Illustrator throughout the month of January. Enjoy, and be blessed!
Mercy? Or Hate? When Grace Came Down, Part 10
Today's Bible Verse:
"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)
Mercy? Or Hate? When Grace Came Down, Part 10
Announcement:
Looking for a few temporary volunteers...
We are working on a new template for The Illustrator, which will be mobile-friendly. This should be launching over the course of the next few weeks. We recognize that it is difficult to work out all the bugs in a new format without sending it out to multiple people. We are looking for a few temporary volunteers who are willing to receive their Illustrators in the new format during this de-bugging phase. We would ask you to simply let us know if there are any problems with how the page looks on your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. If you would like to volunteer, please email me! And thank you in advance for your help in improving the Illustrator!
His love,
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator.
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