What Happens When The Light Of The World Shows Mercy?
The feast of the tabernacles had ended and the Pharisees were frustrated that they had not found a way to “condemn” Jesus. Nicodemus had even suggested they had no cause; but, they found the words of Jesus offensive. How dare He suggest they did not understand the scripture! His words cut deep into their pride. They had spent a lifetime studying the scripture and working very hard to live an exemplary life. Surely, God would recognize all their goodness and their reward would be great. Still, this man from “Galilee” cut at their pride with His words. How dare He do that! They had gone away to their own homes while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. We know that was where He often retreated at night to pray. As Jesus returned to teach, the scribes and Pharisees came with a plan to entrap Him by presenting Him a case of “law.”
GUILTY, CAUGHT IN THE ACT
“3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught[b] in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded[c] us that such should be stoned.[d] But what do You say?”[e] (John 8 NKJV). Christ bent down and started to write on the ground. What was He writing? We are not told. Perhaps, He was writing the actual law. ““If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, both the man and woman shall be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10 TLB). In this case, where is the man? They had brought the woman; but clearly, something was wrong with this picture. Being “caught in the act” meant they knew the man as well; yet, only brought the woman. Why? We are not told. Had one of these men entrapped her himself? Was she guilty? Most likely, as we see from the conversation Jesus has with her later; but, for this moment she was about to meet light, truth and be given grace. Jesus knew their hearts and also knew the heart of this woman.
WHERE ARE THE ACCUSERS NOW?
“7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up[g] and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience,[h]went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst” (John 8 NKJV). What was Jesus writing? We are not told. Perhaps He was writing scripture. He knew each of these men’s sins and their arrogant pride. Was He presenting convicting truths about each one through scripture? Did He write just enough truth to convict each heart one by one? We do know that each fell under conviction; yet, they walked away without seeking His mercy and grace for their own salvation. Many may come under conviction of their own sins; yet, never come to seek God’s saving Grace for salvation. They walk away; because, they prefer darkness rather than to face the truth of their own self-exalting, pride filled hearts of darkness. Some are offended by Grace. After all, Grace means I have to accept that I am unworthy, I am incapable of proving myself through my works for God. Grace means “I am a sinner in need of a Savior.” Grace cuts at the core of my own self-centered heart. Not much different than our “self-absorbed” society. How to books and courses everywhere. How to make myself more popular. How to love myself more. How to be more self-actualized. How to succeed at life, work and self. We live in a society of “me first”; which makes it hard to receive grace and even more difficult to give it.
LIGHT AND TRUTH GIVES MERCY AND GRACE
Jesus knew the truth. He knew the sin of each; yet, Jesus gave this woman mercy and grace. When all the accusers had left, she was still standing there. She knew her own guilt. She could have slipped away after all the others did; but, her heart was “a broken and contrite” heart. She stood before Christ awaiting her just judgment, her penalty. Instead, Jesus gave her mercy and grace.
CONCLUSION
Throughout John, Jesus is referred to as the light and the truth of the world. When the light of truth shines into the darkness of our hearts, as humans we have a choice to allow the light in or reject it. Sometimes, we want to clean ourselves up before we let the light in as though we can make ourselves worthy of the light. But in darkness, we cannot see the depth of depravity and filth that is there. Even, we as Christians at times try to “fix ourselves.” We want Grace, but we want to also believe “we deserved” God’s Grace. That really is not Grace. As the light shines deeper into the crevices of our hearts, we find out just how unworthy we are. As we see His Glory, we are transformed into His image; because we realize our dependence on Grace. It is His work in me. I cannot clean up my heart in the dark—I need light to see the dirt first. Jesus is that light; but, He also arrives with the mop and bucket to do the cleaning. I just need to open the door and let Him in. The more I see of His righteousness, the more I sing His praises and the more I realize it was Grace Alone that saved me.
[bctt tweet=”As I have no claim apart from Grace Alone, I must share that same Grace to those whom I meet.”] [bctt tweet=”When God’s light reveals the darkness of my own soul & gives Grace; humbled, I forgive others. “]
The song I chose for you today is By Grace Alone
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. Feel free to email me at Artedabarba@gmail.com or purchase his art at http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.