Homework Day Two (John 7:53-8:11)

Homework 3Here’s my homework for day two:

Then each went to his own home. 8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. ”8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 7:53-8:11

1) What do I find out about God and my relationship with Him?

What do I find out about God? I discover God isn’t my condemner or accuser. Instead, He gives life, forgiveness and a future. People condemn; Jesus forgives. He gives us permission to live into a new future. Following Christ isn’t about living just any sort of way, it’s about living in a pursued righteousness. It’s intentional.

Think about it. Jesus may be the only person in the crowd who doesn’t condemn you. Instead, He calls you to live a life pursuing Him. He’s not focused on your past; He’s more concerned about your future. Isn’t that a lesson we can all learn.

2) What do I find out about others and my relationship with them?

People can be harsh, judgmental and condemning. Using this attitude or demonstration is born out of self-righteousness and the erroneous grading of sin. Sin is sin; disobedience is disobedience. Why is it we determine one sin to be worse than another? It’s all rebellion. Sometimes I need to be reminded of this truth.

I also find it interesting that it is the older ones who walk away first. When Jesus stated the one without sin should cast the first stone, people started to think. Why did the “older” walk away first?  Could it be a sense of maturity? Could it be a reflection of longer lives and more time to sin? I think it was a reflective moment when people began to remember their less than perfect lives. No one is perfect. Only Jesus is perfect.

Why are we so quick to judge and condemn each other? Maybe I should stop and think more about how I perceive people and their actions?

3) How am I to be and do?

I need to be more concerned about the personal pursuit of righteousness than the faults or shortcomings of others.

What did you learn?

3 thoughts on “Homework Day Two (John 7:53-8:11)

  1. Kevin Simmons

    I think you really hit the nail on the head with what you’ve learned from this passage, Brad. Jesus didn’t ignore this woman’s sin, but he forgave her and gave her a new start. We cannot ignore sin in our own lives, and we shouldn’t be so quick to judge others because we have ALL fallen short of God’s glory. I’ve done plenty in my life that I’m not proud of, but I know that by grace and love of Jesus he’s given me the same second chance that he’s offered the woman in this story.

  2. Gilley and Frank

    1. What stood out for us was the discretion of Jesus. He bent down and was writing on the ground. I image he was writing trigger words that brought conviction to each one of the teachers and Pharisees. I know from personal experience how the Holy Spirit can convict my heart in a crowd of people. Know one knows but me and the Holy Spirit but I get the message.

    2. If Jesus, who was fully qualified to judge and condemn faults and sins did not, who am I. My role in relationships is not to embarrass or cause distress.

    3. I hope to develop the skill of discretion in situation where I feel condemned or trapped.

  3. Kathy Lowry

    Homework: Day 3
    2 Corinthians 9:6-15New International Version (NIV)
    Generosity Encouraged
    What do I find out about God and my relationship with Him?
    He loves me and invests in me. He wants me to do the same in Him, but from the heart, and not dreading it, or overtaken by my feelings. As I give cheerfully, He is able and willing to give me what I need in abundance, and all the good I do for Him will be multiplied. He gives me all I need to grow my faith and righteousness. My generosity will initiate thankfulness to God.
    What do I find out about my relationship with others?
    When I have been authentic in serving God, others will also be influenced to praise Him because of my confessions and sharing the gospel with them. The grace God has given me will be evident to those who experience it with me, and they will be sympathetic to me, giving thanks to God and His indescribable gift of unconditional love.
    How am I to be and do?
    I am to understand that He wants a real relationship with me, where His gifts are fully received and my heart is glad and cheerful to give back to Him and others. The service He values in this passage proves my relationship to Him by allowing me to share Him with others, and have Godly relationships, sharing in our gifts and thankfulness. I should be free to express myself with the grace He has given me, and share the gospel easily.

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