John 8:1-11
Tuesday, 10 May 2022
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you;”’ -John 8:11
A very powerful encounter a woman had with Jesus, is the focus of our reading today- which certainly would have changed the course of her life. Here is a woman caught in adultery – a sinful act that deserved death sentence according to the Law (which her society was keen to follow to the dot)—now given a new lease of life! There was no escape of death penalty she faced. But that’s where Grace met her! She wasn’t taken to the religious leaders for her inquiry but to the VERY ONE who had laid down these moral laws. This changed her destiny from death to life!
Often the devil’s targets are God’s children, exposing them in their sins and throwing accusations against them, thus adversely impacting their effectiveness as people of God. Revelation 12:10 says, “…the work of the enemy is to accuse us day and night before our God.” How do we overcome the enemy’s hold over our lives? The two important roles Jesus played in this woman’s life to set her free from her accusers, are the keys for us to escape from the clutches of the enemy:
As an Advocate
God’s greatest desire for us is to walk in holiness. This is the very area we often fall, giving room to the accuser to hurl his accusations against us. Jesus knowing our plight did not leave us without an answer. 1 John 2:1 says “if anyone sins we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” This was what Jesus did for the woman in our reading- He spoke in her defense (Vs7). He did not accuse her but addressed her accusers.
Today if you are bogged down by the weight of guilt, hindering your Christian walk and ministry, you have a defense and He is your righteousness- Jesus Christ! “When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good.” 1 John 2:2[The Msg] – He paid a huge price to shut the enemy’s mouth – by shedding his precious blood. All you and I have to do is confess our sins and believe that his blood cleanses us from all sins. (1 John 1:9)
He is our Judge
When all the men left, the woman was left standing alone before Jesus. The accusers left as only the sinless were called to cast the first stone. That was a hard call! So they left the woman alone to face her SINLESS JUDGE, who had every right to sentence her. There is no escape now! Why would this Judge want to forgive her? Of what value is she to Him? She had everything going against her. But she never knew the master plan of this Judge: the time was nearing for Him to carry this woman’s sin and the sins of the whole world, all the way to Calvary and pay a price for it. He had come to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9).
Our advocate defends us because He has already been punished for our sins. Romans 5:8: “Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.” For everyone who believes in this work of Christ , will one day stand free from eternal condemnation. Just as this woman received mercy from Him we too unworthy of forgiveness will receive mercy if we turn to Him. “God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world would through Him be saved.” (John 3:17)
The first time He came, He came to save; He is coming again, but this time to judge the world. Rom.2:16 says, “God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ.” The only way to escape His Judgment that day, is to repent and receive His grace and mercy today.
How will we stand before Our Righteous Judge on that Judgment Day? What will we hear? – Guilty as Charged or Forgiven and Free?
Quote of the Day: “God will never reject you. Whether you accept Him is your decision."
Listen: 'Hello my name is defeat'