We all know the story when the Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught committing adultery.
According to Jewish law she had to be stoned to death for that sin. In those days adultery was a serious offence; not like these days where many treat it as a joke.
Anyway, the scribes and Pharisees brought this woman to Jesus to see whether He would agree to her being stoned. Notice that the hypocrites that they are, they brought the woman. Where is the man, I ask?
The thing is, it is easy for religious people to hide behind hypocrisy. They stand upright and make out that they are offended by others' sins and yet they hide how truly evil they are.
In this case, they were also trying to trick Jesus into making the wrong decision. Would He follow the Jewish law or not?
We’re told in the Gospel of John that Jesus wrote in the sand with His
finger. We don't know what He wrote. I guess He wrote, ‘Dear God … will
they never learn?’
But that’s not important; what is important is that after He said let
the one who has never sinned throw the first stone, and when they all
left one by one, Jesus turned to the woman and asked ‘Is there no one
left to condemn you?’
She said ‘No one …’
And Jesus replied ‘I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.’
Now Jesus did not mean do not sin any sin whatsoever ever again for the rest of your life!
He knew that that is impossible. The woman was human, and it is
natural that she would sin again. Jesus knows our human nature and He
knows that we are liable to sin again and again.
What Jesus said to the woman is, do not commit that particular sin
again … it is serious enough to get you into a lot of trouble with the
Pharisees as well as with God Himself.
And that’s what Jesus is saying to us today.
He knows we are weak. He knows that we will sin.
By saying ‘do not sin again’ Jesus is warning us to beware of those
particular sins which are serious enough to lead us into damnation, and
into an eternity of exclusion from our Father in Heaven.
If only the really bad sins had flashing signs saying "this will take you straight to hell", it would be so much easier for those inclined to sin to avoid them. On the other hand, those inclined to sin badly often don't think of the consequences and I think that is where the real problem lies.
ReplyDeleteThe flashing signs do exist in the Ten Commandments and in loving God and loving each other. But as you say, people are good at ignoring road signs when in traffic.
DeleteGod bless, River.
Ah! Now! I must go back to my upbringing,
ReplyDeleteand learning/teaching of this unknown
woman..Unknown..?
I was always taught, that, that woman was..
Mary Magdalene..Over the centuries, everyone
from early church leaders and scholars to
novelists and filmmakers have revised and
elaborated on the story of Mary Magdalene...
On one hand, they downplayed her importance
by claiming she was a prostitute, a ruined
woman who repented and was saved by Christ’s
teachings...
On the other, some early Christian texts
depicted Mary Magdalene as not just a mere
follower, but Jesus’s trusted companion—which
some interpreted to mean his wife...?
(Open for discussion)..
I for one, keep it no secret of being in favour
of the death penalty..Not only for premeditated
murder..but for rapists and paedophiles..Period!
I would change my mind if a 'life' sentence is
passed that means 'life'..otherwise, why use the
word, life is not 15yrs..20yrs..40yrs..! LIFE
should mean LIFE..!
In my book adultery is an 'evil' sin, and must
be punished..not by man perhaps, but..certainly
by God..And he does so, in his own way..and as
we know, all around the world there are different
forms of punishment in varying countries, depending
on their beliefs..!
So reading John's gospel, explains one version, with
slightly different versions in gospels of Philip or
Thomas..! Once again, are ALL the writings in the
Bible..to be believed..!
I believe, always have, always will.."The Bible is
the truest book ever written"..Amen!
There are various interpretations as to who this woman is, or was.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Willie.
Great post! Many people, not only religious ones, hide behind hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Sunday :-)
Thank you Giorgio. Wishing you a grand week ahead.
DeleteGod bless.
...and what about the woman's partner?
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, Tom.
DeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteYes, as you also mentioned in your story: 'Where is the man, I ask?'
It surely takes two to tango!
So many things are viewed in a wrong way and many might be in for a big surprise in the very end.
Hugs,
Mariette
I wonder ... were they dancing the tango?
DeleteGod bless, Mariette.
Yes, with the devil...
DeleteWhere was the man? Good question....
ReplyDeletegood thoughts. ;-)
Thank you so much, Jack and Sherry.
DeleteGod bless always.
There is an infinite number of sins waiting to catch us up if we let them.
ReplyDeleteI have never ever sinned, Kathy. Not even told a lie.
DeleteGod bless you.
What a blessing to realize Jesus knows we're weak -- but loves us all the same!
ReplyDeleteAmen. You are so right, Mevely.
DeleteGod bless.
A sin against your partner hurts lots of other people too.
ReplyDeleteYes, that often happens sadly.
DeleteGod bless you, Bill.
This story has a good lesson about where we should place our trust. Our Lord never condemn us, but rather shows us compassion, love and grants us forgiveness for our transgressions when we ask for it. Blessings always, Victor.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nells. The Lord will always forgive us as long as we are genuine in our remorse.
DeleteGod bless my friend.
Not being watchful against sin causes a heap of heartaches.
ReplyDeleteSo many people now either do not believe in G-d or believe He is a Santa Claus who gives us everything and requires nothing in return, they don't take sin seriously.
Amen, Mimi. Sadly, many don't even understand what sin is.
DeleteGod bless.
Yes, God understands we are flesh and is very forgiving. Learning His ways is a process which takes time, just as growing in the flesh takes time going from child to adult. There are many scriptures which help us not to sin, and once we are born again of His Holy Spirit we have access to the mind of Christ that is full of Truth - unlike the carnal mind that Satan can enter into with his lies.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Brenda. Not sinning is a learning process.
DeleteGod bless.
Everyone of us is a sinner, Victor, and so in need of forgiveness by Jesus. We do our best to stay out of the clutches of sin, but as mere humans, that is impossible. So thankful for the Lord!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Somehow, sin seems to follow me all the time. I can resist everything except temptation.
DeleteGod bless, Martha.