April 7, 2022 - John 8:6-7, 9-11

“They (the Pharisees) were trying to trap him (Jesus) into saying something they could use against him…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… 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 8:6-7, 9-11 NLT

Jesus, I am always so impressed by the way you handle the situations you found yourself in. The insight and discernment you walked in is so impressive. We know that you said we can walk with the leading of the Holy Spirit the same way you did. We ask for more of that today. Holy Spirit, we invite more of you into our lives. Lead us and guide us the way you did Jesus. Give us insights beyond what we can know in the natural. Show us how to diffuse the traps of the enemy like Jesus did here.

Jesus, I am also so blown away by how you knew who needed grace and who needed hard truth. You stood up to the Pharisees and others who needed to hear truth. You didn’t back away from clearly saying what needed to be said, even if it upset people. You didn’t mind if people hated you. Your goal wasn’t to please people but to please God. At the same time, your goal was to love people and win them over to God. Such an interesting balance. We need help to learn how to replicate this. Some people you offered such love and grace to even when the law gave you a place to offer punishment, such as in this story with the women caught in adultery. To others you spoke offensive truth. Lead us in learning how to discern the situation and how to offer just what is needed to each person we face.

In Jesus name, amen.