Shade Tree Wisdom 5/11/11

The news is full of flood pictures. It’s a picture to sadden the heart.

Here is another. It was really ugly, the scene I am about to describe. Jesus had come to the Temple early and was teaching many, when the quiet class was rudely interrupted by Scribes and Pharisees shouting for attention, and dragging along a woman, whom they held by the arms and roughly dragged and pushed along till they got her thrown at Jesus’ feet.

Their claim, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, In the very act. Now, Moses in the law commanded that such should be stoned. What do you say?” John 8, 4-5. John explains, “This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him”. V.6 A trap for Jesus.

Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not.” V.6. Interesting that this is the only place where the Bible tells us He wrote something, and we don’t know what He was writing. Was it things like ‘extortioner’, or 'thief’, or 'liar’. Or even a dishonest act?

They were intense in their questioning, so after looking at them, He said, “The one who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” He lifted the entire thing to a higher court. Then He wrote some more. As they watched that finger move, they, one by one, dropped the stones they held ready, and quietly drew away, shuffling into the crowds till they are lost in the multitudes, till the woman lay there alone.

The lesson Jesus taught is only the guiltless have a right to judge. “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged, forgive, and you shall be forgiven” Luke 6,37.

Then He turned to the woman and asked her directly, “Where are those thine accusers, has no man condemned thee.” John 8,10. She answers with a sob, “No one, Lord.” That is all she says. We don’t know her name, where she was from, or really anything about her. But we do know she was changed. She offers no excuse. She has been accused, convicted, judged, but not condemned. She has been forgiven. And her head is up, she is different. Forgiven.

Remember always that God is willing to forgive sinners, and we are all sinners. That is the burden Jesus lifted from us when He died on the cross, for He paid it all, so we can be declared righteous and holy. Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

Therefore, “be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Eph. 4,32

How can we be sure? Jesus said so. But “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father in heaven forgive you trespasses.” Matthew 6,15. Blunt words, honest truths; not sentimental. So for peace in your heart, be forgiving. “We pray, Forgive us our sins, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST
US”. May The Holy Spirit teach us so to do.

GPD 5/11/11