"A Place to Begin Again"

August 30, 2013

“A Place to Begin Again”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 7:53-8:11

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Another personal favorite of the varied encounters Jesus had with people.

Here is the bottom-line.

Jesus gave the woman a “place to begin again.”

He will do the same for us.

He did not condone her sin.
He did not execute judgment.

He gave a her a place to begin again.

The Scribes and Pharisees were certain that they had Jesus trapped.
The woman had been caught “in the very act”...I suspect with a Scribe/Pharisee that “stepped up for the cause.”
Where is the man that was caught in the act?
The act was not the issue?
Entrapment of Jesus was.

The Religionists - the Scribes/Pharisees - quoted Scripture at Jesus.
Their attitude was “now, what are ya gonna do”.
They were testing Him.

Jesus, at first, responded in silence.
The Religionists thought they had Him...they persisted. They pressured for a response.

Jesus responded.
“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Jesus returned to silence.

The accusers slowly left...beginning with the older.

Jesus then spoke to the woman.
“Where are your accusers?”
“Do they condemn you?”
No.
“Neither do I”
“Go, sin no more.”

Jesus gives us a place to begin again.
Repent.
Go.
Sin no more.
Rejoice in new beginnings.