OzThoughts Monday 30th March 2009.

OzThoughts Monday 30th March 2009.
Today’s reading from John’s Gospel is well known. It is probably better to say the incident in Jesus life that is described is well known and various conclusions are drawn from it. We need to be careful that any conclusions are based on the actual reading and not from people’s memories of part of it which may be inaccurate.
John 8:1-11 (The Message)
1-2 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. 3-6The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
6-8Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
9-10Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"
11"No one, Master."
"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."
What does the reading say to us at the beginning of another week of activity after our day of worship?
We should note that Jesus was teaching in the Temple when the religious scholars and Pharisees pt him to the test. They asked him to interpret the law and judge this woman caught in adultery. John tells us it was a trap.
There is not much point in guessing what Jesus wrote on the ground with his finger but we can hear his voice clearly "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone”
Soon all the would-be accusers left. Jesus was alone with the woman and his voice comes clearly again “"Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."

What a relief it must have been that Jesus did not condemn her. But, she now had a responsibility of which Jesus reminded her “From now on, don't sin."
What a wonderful thing it is for us to know that through Jesus there is forgiveness. This week Jesus says to us again “From now on, don't sin."

We can be confident (since Calvary) :

He (Jesus) breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood avails for me “
(TSA Song Book: 64 Charles Wesley)
PRAYER: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer book).
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4962.mp3

or Band Selection based on “Just as I am” http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2878.mp3 ]

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bid'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down,
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Author: Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 293

[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]


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