John 8: Stone Drop

“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. “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?”  They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against Him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with His finger.  They kept demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, “all right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.”  John 8:4-8 (NLT)

Jesus shows up early in the morning and begins to teach the crowd that gathers.  The religious leaders and Pharisees want to trap Jesus and get Him to do or say something that they can use against Him.  They bring in a woman who has been caught in a sin that according to the law, is punishable by death.

Jesus seems kind of chill.  He just stoops down and begins doodling in the dust.  Although, I do wonder if He was just doodling, or did He write or draw something specific, something that preceded His response.  We don’ know, but He does respond and tells them that the one with no sin can throw the first stone.  They drop their stones and leave Jesus and the woman.  Jesus tells her to go and sin no more.

This story always reminds me of how quickly I can judge others, especially other believers, and overlook the sin in my own life.  It can be so easy to want to point out others failures, especially those we see as “real sin.”  It seems that in the church we want to judge and disqualify those we see as immoral or whose life looks different than what we think it should look like.  All the while missing our own self-righteous pride and judgmental attitude.  And for whatever reason, these sins get a pass.  We, I allow myself to think higher of myself than I ought.  I sin and need a Savior.

Jesus didn’t overlook the woman’s sin.  He acknowledges it and tells her to go and sin no more.  I don’t want to be like the religious leaders and jump quickly to “stoning” someone for their sin.  I want to be like Jesus, extending grace and mercy and pointing them to the Cross.  My role as a believer isn’t to judge others sin with a self-righteous attitude, it’s to point them to the Word, to Jesus, to redemption, forgiveness and healing.

How much more satisfying is it to love someone, pointing them to Jesus and watching them receive forgiveness and healing, than just condemning them.    We all sin.  We all need His saving grace.  I need His forgiveness.

Lord, reveal to me the sin in my life today.  Convict me of the things that are harmful to me and to others.  Take me to my knees so that I can repent and be forgiven.  Lord, help me to see others like you see them.  I want to be your hands and feet, loving people and leading them to You.  Amen.

What is God speaking to you today through John 8?  Share your thoughts and insights in the comment section below.

John 7: Not Always As It Appears / Thirsty

Fall photo Journaling Through John

As I was preparing for this session of journaling, I somehow ended up with 2 post for chapter 7.  I could not decide which to post, so I put them both here!  Enjoy!

John 7: Not Always As It Appears
“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” John 7:24 (NLT)

People are gathering and talking. They are questioning Jesus. Even His brothers don’t believe Him.  There is a lot of talking and division. Those who do believe won’t speak up, they are afraid of the Jewish leaders. They are looking for Him and wondering why He isn’t there at the festival.  Then Jesus shows up at the temple and begins teaching.

Earlier in the chapter, in verse 7, Jesus says the world hates Him because He accuses it of doing evil.  And then in the temple He begins to speak directly to the pharisees, those who accuse Him of not obeying the law.  He calls them out for doing the same thing they accuse Him of doing.  then He says in verse 24, “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”

It can be so easy to judge other’s actions simply by what I can see.  And how quickly I can jump to conclusions based on such little information.  And oh, how rampant is it today to call out others simply because of something we see or a comment that is made.  The reality is there is so much more beneath the surface.  My thoughts, beliefs, actions, convictions, opinions, responses are all based on my processes, journey and circumstances.  I must also recognize that about others.  I can’t let myself assume I know or understand why someone says or does something.

I must look beneath the surface.  This means I have to go deeper in my relationships to know their heart.  It’s in intentional, real relationship that I can get to the core of any issue.  There are definitely times where I need correction and to be called out on my actions, but I won’t always respond to those who haven’t taken the time to really know me, to go deeper.  So, why would I expect that others would hear my heart when I just spout off my thoughts and opinions.  If I want to make a difference in n people’s lives I must be willing to put in the work of relationship. AND, I must also look deeper into my own heart and motives, allowing the Holy Spirit to purify and cleanse my heart of malice, un-forgiveness, offense, selfish ambitions, critical judgement and whatever other junk is hardening my heart to Jesus and toward people.

Lord, I pray today for a heart like yours.  A heart that loves people right where they are.  I desire for real, authentic relationships where I allow others to speak into my life.  Teach me to respect others journey not always jumping to judgments.  I want to see people like you see them.  Teach me to love like you love. Amen.

John 7:  Thirsty

“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me.  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare, rivers of living water will flow from His heart.”  John 7:37-38 (NLT)

Jesus is speaking at the temple during a Jewish festival.  The religious leaders have and continue to question who he is.  He shows up and begins speaking to them of His work and their doubt of who He is..

Jesus says, “anyone who is thirsty may come to me.” (V37). And my heart responds, yes, I am thirsty!  The weight of everything leaves me feeling parched and desperate for a fresh drink.  What I see in the news, the things I hear in politics, the conversations on social media and the brokenness of it all can leave me depleted, heavy and longing for refreshing.

Jesus, I am thirsty.  Fill me with a fresh outpouring of your Holy Spirit.  Refresh and fill my soul.  Allow your living water to cleanse and refresh every part of my soul.  I pray for more and more of your Spirit, let it flow through me and out of me.

In verse 38 Jesus says that for anyone who believes and drinks, rivers of living water will flow from their heart.  The thirst is for His Spirit and it is for me, but it will flow out of me.  I know that the world needs Jesus.  Those in my life need His presence and the hope He offers.  I pray today that the filling and refreshing I experience would flow over and reach those in my life.

Today I pray for a deeper understanding of my responsibility.  Where can I offer hope?  My desire is that wherever I go, His peace will be present.  Lord, teach me to just lead those around me to you. I pray my life would reflect your heart for all people.  Amen.

What is God speaking to you today through John 7?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.