The woman caught in adultery..

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:10, 11 ESV)

I've been struggling with this passage for a couple of weekes now, mainly because it evokes so much emotion for me. I get so angry at the religious leaders for their treatment of this woman. I get so frustrated by the commentaries I read that get wrapped up in the mystery of what Jesus wrote on the ground. And my heart breaks for this woman who has found her way into such a wretched situation. But as I've reflected and prayed and journaled on this passage, I have been able to peel back all the layers and bring it back to what I believe is the essence of this story. A story of one sinful woman's encounter with Jesus, and I discover that it is story much like mine. I don't know much about how judgment day is going to pan out, but I know that like this woman, there are going to be people who will bring their charges against me and call for my death. They will be just as insistant, just as convinced that they are right in their accusations against me, and like the woman, I will be cowering at the feet of Jesus, waiting for the inevitable first blow. But Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.' The question is; why doesn't Jesus condemn her? He alone was without sin, and he alone had the authority to condemn her, but he chose not to. Is the answer that he thought that what she had done wasn't that big a deal? That even though she was certainly guilty, that she doesn't deserve death? But how can we say that, when Jesus is God and he wrote the law that condemns adulterers to death? Did he change his mind? Was he afraid to condemn her? Was he afraid to execute a woman in an occupied country where it was illegal for anyone but the Roman Governer of the region to order executions? But can we really say that Jesus is a man who suffered from fear? The man who slept through storms, walked on water and daily rebuked and humiliated the most respected leaders of the town? Can we say that this man would not do what is right because he was afraid? The truth is, that Jesus took the sin of this woman onto himself and died in her place. Jesus died so she would have the chance to try again, and live a life of love, and not of sin. He suffered and died for her, even though what she had done was disgusting in his eyes. And likewise, when the time comes for me to be judged, no charge will be able to be brought against me, because Jesus has already paid the price for my sins. 

Confusion

And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” John 7:12 ESV

Who is this man Jesus? Where did he come from? Why did some people say he was God and some wanted to kill him? If he was so good, why did he hang around with prostitutes and tax collectors? If he was so bad, why were so many people being healed and saved? Leading up to the time of Jesus’ arrest and execution, the people were becoming more and more divided. And today, not much has changed. Some claim that he is the Son of the only true God. Others than he was simply a good man, who preached a message of love. Still others claim that he was the instigator of centuries of abuse, xenophobia and persecution. There is so much conflicting information about this man that it can feel easier to switch off, especially when life is going well. If you have money in your bank, a family who loves you and food in your fridge, why worry about a guy who lived two thousand years ago? And when everything is falling apart, your marriage, your job, your dreams; who has time to think deep philosophical questions anyway?

There are many, many people who are so much better equipped to answer this question. Books, blogs, sermons are all devoted to answering the question: who is Jesus? And the Bible does the best job of explaining him than any other book can. But I didn’t start following Jesus because of a thorough in-depth study of all the evidence. I started following him because he broke into my life and loved me like no one else had ever loved me. It makes no sense that I worship a broke homeless guy who was killed by his own people. And it is only after coming to faith that I began to add the head faith to my heart faith. I believe Jesus is God, that he came to earth born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, was betrayed by one of his best friends, was crucified, buried, and on the third day rose back to life. I believe that believing in him is the only way that this life can make sense, and that in him is the promise of another life that is infinitely better than the one we are living now. I believe that Jesus didn’t just come to earth to tell us that he loves us, but to reveal to us the gravity of our sin, and that the consequences of our sin is real and horrifying, and that only he is able to save us from those consequences. Not because we deserve it, but because he loves us so much that he can’t bear the thought of spending eternity without us by his side. Who is Jesus? He is God. He is love. He is justice and mercy. He is the way, the truth and the light. There will always be confusion and division about who he really is, but there is only one truth, and sooner or later the truth always comes out.

Discipleship matters...

“After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?” Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the holy one of God.” John 6:66-69

 

Not everyone who encounters Jesus will choose to follow him. Jesus spoke on this fact again and again, but it is still so easy to overlook, especially when we focus all our attention and all our energy into getting people to make that initial commitment. It’s there in the parable of the sower, when only some of the seed falls in good ground and bears fruit, while all the rest is choked by weeds, stolen by the birds, or withered by the sun (Matthew 13:1-23). It’s there in the story of those who call out “Lord, Lord” but not all will be invited into the kingdom (Matthew 7:21). And most tragically, it is there in the life of Judas Iscariot, who followed Jesus for three years, but ultimately betrayed him. In the account of when Jesus calls Peter and his brother away from their fishing business and fish for men, Jesus did not say to them, ‘Accept me as Lord and Saviour’, but he said to them “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). We have to follow Jesus, not just believe in Him. And we don't go out to change peoples' minds about Jesus, but to make disciples. Even demons believe in Jesus, but it doesn’t change the fact that they are far from Him! James tells us that we need faith AND action (James 2:18). Faith in Jesus is not demonstrated though changed minds, but through changed lives! Romans tells us to “not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2). The fancy pants word for this is 'sanctification' and I love this definition from the Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology:

The generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is "sanctified" when used to write. Eyeglasses are "sanctified" when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose.

So to be sanctified is to follow Jesus, live like Jesus, love like Jesus and disciple like Jesus. And that’s a tough ask! Choosing to live your life for God’s purpose is rarely lucrative, pain free, or glamorous. It challenges you every step of the way as you step out from conforming to the world and dying to yourself so you can live for Christ (Philippians 1:21). It’s no wonder that people fall away. I don’t blame them, because it is so hard to wake up every day and decide to try and life God’s way. I want to be lazy, selfish, and chase after what feels good. And honestly, most days that’s the side of my nature that wins out. But for me, I can’t stop chasing after God, no matter how many times I stuff up or how many times I’m tempted to turn my back on Him and take an easier road. But like Peter, my response has always been that I’ve committed myself, and no matter how difficult and unattractive the road ahead looks, I can’t unbelieve the fact that Jesus died for me. Like Peter, I think, ‘To whom would I go?’ because for me there is no other option than Jesus. No matter how disillusioned I get about the state of the world, the suffering I see, attitudes of some who confess themselves to be Christians, how angry or scared I get, I still can’t leave him. I’m not my own anymore, I belong to him. I don’t just believe in Jesus, I follow him. I stumble and grumble along the way, but my path is set before me and I can’t turn back now. And my challenge today is to see others become followers, not just believers, in Jesus, because our whole body was created to serve him, and not just our minds.

The missing piece..

“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me ! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. (John 5:39, 40 MSG)

One of my favourite Christian books is The Jesus Storybook Bible, which beautifully retells the story of the bible for young children. I love it because at the end of each story, it explains how the story is all about Jesus, and that these stories are always about Jesus. In the introduction, the author Sally Lloyd-Jones says it like this; "He is like the missing piece in the puzzle - the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture". And that is exactly what Jesus is saying here. Becuase unless we approach the scriptures with a heart that is seeking Jesus, looking for Jesus, and wanting to learn more about Him, then the words are as empty and lifeless as yesterdays newspaper. We don't read the bible to learn more about ourselves or about people who lived thousands of years ago, but to learn about Jesus. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of the time because even though they knew thier scriptures back to front, they didn't really know it at all, because they didn't know HIM. You can recite bible verses like a parrot, sing every hymn and worship song till you're blue in the face, and study your bible till the pages fall out, but if it's not bringing you closer to Jesus than it's a waste of time, and it won't save you. The bible is more than just words, it is life! There is life in these words, life-changing, powerful, invigorating, healing, abundant life! And if you're reading scripture it isn't changing you, you're doing it wrong. The bible is a gift, it's a blessing, it's a weapon, it's a bandage, it's a best friend when we need it most.

 I'm challenged today when I rememeber Jesus talking about the scriptures as our daily bread, as I am hopeless at opening my bible everyday and studying the word. But this is such a great analogy because preparing food and eating is something we do every day, because our bodies need it. We don't consider the time it takes us to prepare our meals and eat them as wasted - we prioritise that time, we even schedule our days around our meals, because we know if we don't than our body will quickly deteriorate. And I think what Jesus was getting at is that our spirit is the same. We need spiritual food every day. We need to prioritise the time it takes to prepare our spirit for the Word of God, and consume it daily, otherwise we will start to deteriorate. 

God, please help me to understand how vital your precious word is. Help me to prioritise it, make room for it in my life, and to stop making excuses. And every time I open my bible, may it bring me closer to you, Lord Jesus, and bring me closer to the light. Amen. 

Desperate for love..

Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” (John 4:7 NLT)

This woman had nothing to offer Jesus whatsoever, just brokeness. Five times she married, hoping each tome that this would be the man who would love and care for her, but five times she was disappointed. So desperate and wretched, the man she is living with now won't even marry her. She was completely dependant on a man who neither cared for her or respected her, but she had no where else to go, and no one else to turn to. The women in the village shun her, and the men mock her. She takes to keeping to herself and avoiding being amongst the hussle and bussle of the village, even though it means walking miles outside of the village on her own, just to get some water. One day, there is a man already at the well when she arrives. But he doesn't mock her, or ignore her, he talks to her. Jesus showed this women more compassion and honour in a few minutes than she had even received in her whole life. She had questions about God and religion and life, and he took the time to explain things to her. He didn't brush her off as too far gone to be saved. He dind't give into the fatigue  he was feeling and just stay silent. Jesus took the opportunity to draw this woman close to God. I love the picture of what happens next, when she runs back to the village and tells everyone what had happened to her. I love that this women who had been sneaking out the back door, and trying to go by unnoticed walked straight up to the people who despised her and told them about this man Jesus she had just met. Through this women, that whole village come to believe. Jesus chose her to be the one to carry his message of love and acceptance and forgiveness. I love how God so often choses the most unexpected people to be his messengers. I love how this woman had the courage to respond to what she had experienced and share it with everyone. But most of all I love Jesus' heart for this lonely, wretched woman, who just desperately wanted to be loved. 

This is what I believe..

 

How to love like Jesus...

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:1-5 ESV)

What strikes me most about this chapter is the fact that even though Jesus says no to his mother, she still believes that he will still come through for her. Mary had raised this man from birth, and knew him better than anyone, and here we see a beautiful example of her absolute faith in his character. When I have read this passage in the past, it has often bothered me because it seems like such a trivial little story. John records it as the first of Jesus' miracles, but the other Gospels leave it out, and that makes me wonder, perhaps did they thought it was trivial too? Tonight as I was reading and processing this chapter, it occured to me that for Mary, this was not a trivial matter, and Jesus saw that and responed to it. One of the most beautiful demonstrations of love is when someone can see into your soul and value how important something is to you, even when they don't understand why. We don't know Mary's relationship to the couple at this wedding, and we don't know why this wedding was so important to her, because John doesn't tell us. All he tells us is;

a). the success of this wedding was important to her, and in her view, running out of wine would have ruined it; 

b). that Jesus was not really that concerned with the wedding, and if the wine ran out or not; and 

c). even though the wine situation was of no real importance to Jesus, he still acted and performed the miracle of the water turning into wine. 

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter WHY this was so important to Mary. The message I receive from this passage today is that love means serving someone in their present need, no matter how trivial, or silly it may seem to you. When you love someone, you value what they value, you care about what they care about, and what bothers them bothers you. When you are too busy judging someone's values and worries, you have no time to love them. Jesus loved his mother, and he cared about what she cared about. I also believe that this moment had a huge impact on Mary, and that this simple miracle was to her a treasured gift of love from her son. My reasoning here is that as I mentioned before, this story does not occur in any of the Gospels excpet John. Why? I think the simple answer is that John loved Mary to way Jesus loved her. At the cross, Jesus spoke to John and gave the care and love of his mother over to him. And I believe that as he spent time with Mary, listening to her and serving her, she would have recounted this story to him, and recounted how much it had meant to her. On hearing this story, John could easily have brushed it off as the ramblings of an old woman, and not included it in his account of Jesus life as too trivial and unimpressive next to the miracles of healing and the like. But John loved Mary like Jesus loved Mary, and he valued what Mary valued and when she recounted this story to him, he was listening so closely that he could hear how much this simple act had meant to her. John not only loved Mary, but he respected and honoured her, and I believe that this is evident in the inclusion of this simple tale in his Gospel. Jesus came to earth to show us how to love, and I believe that this is one of the most beautiful examples of that.