ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

John 8:6

They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him.

There are different stories throughout the New Testament about the scribes and the Pharisees trying to test Jesus. This particular story is about the adulterous women and what should be done. They keep pushing Jesus to do something. When I imagine Jesus has had enough of their ridiculous behavior, he says: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” I’m sure many of the people were incredulous Jesus would suggest such a thing. After some time of reflection by these people they realized they are not free of sin and left.

At last it is just Jesus and the woman, I bet the women is thinking “Oh boy! Now I’m really going to hear about it!”. Jesus does nothing of the sort. He asks where the accusers are, knowing full well they were all gone. Jesus says to her, “Go your way, and from now on do not sin again”.

That really is the crux of this story, the sin and doesn’t it always come down to sin? The people in the temple knew they weren’t sin free. Do you think the woman in the temple will not sin anymore? She’ll try but I don’t think that is possible.

None of us are free of sin, that’s why God sent his son Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. We sin without even realizing it, yet God forgives everything! We should rejoice in spite of our flaws and our inability to remain sin free. Remembering always - God is a forgiving and benevolent Father. 

Sandy Herweg

This Lent, we are sharing the offerings of members of All Saints who worked together to create a daily Lenten devotional book. Join us for worship Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11. TONIGHT (Wednesday), we will have supper at 6:15 and worship at 7 as we meet a woman healed on the sabbath in our series "Christ on Trial." Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full calendar and information and respond to this email message to request to be removed from our distribution list.