April 20, 2023 - John 8:4, 5, 7, 9-11

““Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”” John 8:4, 5, 7, 9-11 NLT

Oh, my Lord, how we worship you for your love and your grace. You don’t stand to condemn us even when we clearly deserve it. Even when we mess up again and again, you stand there ready to offer grace. As I read this encounter with you, I am blown away by the love you extend to her. You are so humble, yet you stand so strong, not yielding to the demands of the crowd. Teach us to be more like you. Help us learn to stand strong for love and grace. We can be so quick to want to condemn others. I think it makes us feel better about our mistakes when we can point out the sins of others. But that is not what you are about. You see the heart and want to offer forgiveness to anyone willing to receive it. Teach us how to really see people and seek you for how to move forward.

Teach us how to be quicker in offering love, grace and forgiveness before accusations and punishment. Even in the times when we need to dish out punishment, show us how to do it in the fullness of your love and with humility. We want to be more like you, even if that makes us unpopular with the majority. Give us your wisdom to know how to diffuse those stirring up trouble. Teach us how to be people who carry your peace, humility, and love into all we face.

In Jesus name, amen.