From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 6:11 AM

Subject: 4-12-23 THOUGHTS

4-12-23   THOUGHTS

In our reading below, a sinful woman was plucked from her wrong to become a pawn in a deadly game. The motives behind this encounter are many, and they are ugly.  I can’t help thinking of the first few verses of 1Corinthians 13.  They would put this woman to death in order to make Jesus look bad.  Silence and calm met the clamor, some writing on the ground.  The focus of this public forum turns to the accusers, still in silence.  They stop talking and leave, one by one. “For judgment [will be] merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”  Jas 2:13   It was not blood that was the demand, but repentance!

John 8:1-11    But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  2  Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3  The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,  4  they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.  5  "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?"  6  They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.  7  But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."  8  Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  9  When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.  10  Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" 11  She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."

My Prayer:
Father, help us to overcome our human tendency to pass judgment on others.  Teach us to examine ourselves with insight and perception.  Give us strength to repent continually.  May your word be our guide in all things at all times, and Christ be our life.  Make us pleasing children in your sight. Help us to set our minds on spiritual things, and not on worldly things.  May we draw nearer to You continually. Please, O God, light a fire of zeal within us.    
In Jesus name,      Amen.