"You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these (very scriptures) testify about me!" ( John 5:39)
"Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet not one of you keeps the Law. ( If that is the truth) why do you seek to kill Me (for not keeping it)?" ( John 7:19)
You know the story from John 8. The woman caught and brought before Jesus for accusation. She's undeniably in the wrong. They caught her in the act! It's obvious and inescapable. I'm mean, how much clearer could it be?!? If Jesus can't agree with them on this being wrong , when it is so downright obvious, then ..... !!!
So He stoops down and writes in the sand. I'm reminded from a Beth Moore study that this finger is the same One that wrote on the very stone tablets the law they now use to condemn her. They point their finger at her sin, but the Finger that has every right to point out the breaking of the law it wrote, is now drawing attention to the sand, and away from condemnation and death.
"Let him who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. " ( John 8:7)
One by one, oldest to youngest walk away. Who can stand under that directive? None. Hence the whole reason our Christ came. The reason He was here now, with her.
So she is left alone with Him, the One who rightfully did not have to leave, and He picks up no stone. He asks her to confirm her state of not being condemned. She does. He sets her free. He tells her she can go. Just like that. Go and sin no more.
"And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. " ( John 8:32)
She knew the truth. She knew why she was there. They knew the truth, too, or so they thought. Then she met the Truth. The One that set her free from the truth of her sinful state, that all, including herself, already knew.
I find myself in both sides of this story. I need to be freed from my sin. It's obvious to all. I can't hide it. I want to be always aware that His Truth of freeing me is bigger than my own truth of my sin. Sometimes I believe the crowd and my conscience more than Him.
But I am also the one who has stood in judgement. And when He called me on it, I was ashamed. And I made the same mistake they did. I walked away from His grace. I didn't stick around to learn more than just that I was wrong. He never told them to walk away, you know, - but rather to just put down their stones. My embarassment & fear of failure causes me to retreat from Him sometimes. I thought I had it right, and then learn I somehow didn't, so I have to run. And in doing so, I miss the intimacy of learning more than just what I was mistaken in.
How humbling, and freeing...to know the Truth, the Truth in you, and for you, and in love with you. And to know His surpassing greatness exceeds the truth of any reality of personal sin.
"So if the Son liberates you ( makes you free men), then you are really and unquestionably free." ( John 8:36)
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