The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. -John 8:3-6 NRSV
This is part one of a three part story. I call this part "The Accusation". Interesting how often people use religious rules and laws to accuse another. More interesting in this case that only the woman was accused. Mosaic law commanded that the man should also be stoned. Hard to believe that religious people would act with such self-righteous cruelty.
I often hear the phrase: "Love the sinner but hate the sin". My response is: "Hate your own sin". Do you see how this applies to these religious leaders? Would that they sincerely loved this hurting woman and hated their own self-righteousness. Perhaps they would have, in humility, brought this woman to Jesus for healing instead of condemnation?
Dear Father, bring us to a place of examination where we are able to take the logs out of our own eyes.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
We beg mercy for ourselves and justice for others. :-(
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