Devotion:
Read John 8:2-11.
These guys were right. It was in the Bible. Both in Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22, it is stated that this woman should be stoned to death. Of course, both passages also state that both the man and the woman were to be stoned. It is another glaring sign of injustice that they only bring the woman to Jesus!
Still, they bring her to Jesus, wanting to trap him in a difficult situation. These “teachers of the law and the Pharisees” are wanting to portray themselves as devoted to following the Scriptures. As in other scenes throughout this Gospel, Jesus reveals that while they may be following “the letter of the law” they have moved far away from the Spirit of it. They are seeking to take life away; Jesus is seeking to give life. They are seeking to condemn; Jesus is seeking to forgive and restore.
These opposing approaches to being the people of God are still very much alive today. There are those who use the Bible as a resource for hurting and harming people, rather than healing and helping them. They know the Scriptures, but they have become so focused on proving their point, they may win the argument but lose their opportunity to lead that person or group to Christ.
As you study the Bible, be sure to regularly pray that the Holy Spirit will not only inform you, but will form you into a person who has not only the mind of Christ, but his heart as well.
Personal Worship Option:
Consider offering this prayer: Holy and gracious God, continue to teach me to be a person of both your written and living Word, who is Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, fill me with both the mind and heart of Christ. In his name I pray. Amen.
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