Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Change”
Our Bible verse for today: “When Jesus stood up, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, Lord,’ she answered. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus. ‘Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” John 8:10-11 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Jesus gives us the opportunity to change, and to make a fresh start.”
I love the scene John records for us in John 8:2-11. Bible scholars debate whether or not it was part of the original manuscript of the gospel of John but I personally believe it must have been. This is so Jesus!
Here we have a woman caught in the act of committing adultery. Evidently there was no question about her guilt. She did it. She was caught in the very act, and the self-righteous, overly pious, hypocritical religious professionals were eager to make an example of her. So they bring her to the temple compound, make her stand in the center of a circle of her accusers, and then ask Jesus to pronounce judgment and punishment.
We don’t know if it was a one time event or if this was a promiscuous woman who had a habit of engaging in illicit sex, but it really doesn’t matter. We do know that she was guilty of this offense and there was something about her that needed to change. In a masterful way, Jesus cleverly turns the tables on the accusers by convicting them of their own sinful ways. But then, in a beautiful act of mercy, grace, and forgiveness, Jesus grants the woman clemency. There will be no punishment. The only caveat is that she change her ways – “Go and sin no more.”
Jesus is more interested in changing us than He is in punishing us. Oh, there will be godly discipline if that’s what’s needed, but He would much rather teach us, forgive us, and send us on our way as changed people.
Is there something in your life that needs to change? Maybe you stand accused for it before others; or maybe you just stand accused as you look in the mirror. Either way, Jesus is willing to forgive, forget, and help you to move on. If you’re willing to change, He’s willing to help you do it. All this month we’ve been considering strategies that will help to facilitate needed change. I encourage you to go back and review some of them now.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 