Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Amos 7-9; John 8:1-27
Three fingers pointed back – John 8:1-11
1 And Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he returned to the temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The legal experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. Placing her in the center of the group, 4 they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone women like this. What do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, because they wanted a reason to bring an accusation against him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.
7 They continued to question him, so he stood up and replied, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.” 8 Bending down again, he wrote on the ground. 9 Those who heard him went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left in the middle of the crowd.
10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?”
11 She said, “No one, sir.”
Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”
What does this passage mean to me/us?
When I was in the Army, we always finished our training with an AAR (After Action Review). AAR was to point out the strength we showed during the training, and also evaluate what we need to improve. During the time of pointing out the strength, I remember how hard it was to find a meaningful strength. When it came to the time to point out the improvements, we were able to point out so many improvements that the Sergent in charge needed to stop us. Most of the time, the improvements sounded like a time to blame other people for not doing their job.
It is our nature, wanting to condemn others. Sometimes we might call it constructive criticism. But we all know that it is closer to condemnation.
What would happen if Jesus looked at us, with the ‘constructive criticism lens?’ No one will be free of their shortcomings.
That is why we call it Grace. The following verse of John 3:16 says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). Today’s story is how he shows the example of Grace. Not that we should live our lives as we want, but knowing that we are not perfect, Jesus forgives like he forgave this woman.
When we point to others, with our hand, sometimes blaming what they had done, please remember that three fingers are pointing back at me. The only one who can criticize us is God, and remember that God chose to forgive instead of condemning. Then what should we do to others?
Prayer
Lord, help us to self exam our lives and see your grace. Help us not to condem others. . In Christ name we pray, Amen.
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