John 8. The section headings in my Bible for this chapter are "Dispute Over Jesus' Testimony," "Dispute Over Who Jesus Is," "Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus' Opponents Are," and "Jesus' Claims About Himself." I know I've already mentioned this several times, but it's very important. If you read John, it's easy to see that Jesus' main agenda was to reveal himself as the Son of God and Savior of the World, not to teach people how to behave. In verse 58 he even makes the claim that he lived before Abraham, the Jews' ancient ancestor, was born. Jesus says so many things about his divinity that you have to conclude he is delusional, a con artist, or he actually is God. And this, to me, is where his teachings really come into play, because his teachings are so profound and so true that it's difficult to write him off as crazy or a liar. These are the things that everyone around him was wrestling with, because this was Jesus' mission. We're not even halfway through John yet, and Jesus is already a very controversial figure, with everyone talking about him and debating over whether he truly is the Son of God.
Not only does Jesus seem sane, he seems to be the most sane person in the crowd. The story of the woman caught in adultery at the beginning of the chapter shows this with crystal clarity. The thing that strikes me most about this story is that Jesus is the only person who treats her as a human being. "Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." Everyone needs to hear those words from Jesus. And the words have so much more meaning when you personally experience his grace like this woman did.
As I read the words of the confrontation with the woman's accusers at the start of the chapter, I am taken back to this scene in "The Passion of the Christ" and I can hear the thud of the stones hitting the dirt and the men walking away. Awesome!
ReplyDeletev31-47 seem to have been my focal verses today. I am taken back by the thought that Jesus really does set us free. In light of a culture that looks to everything from 12-steps to Dr. Phil, Celebrate Recovery to medication for freedom, it's incredibly refreshing to be reminded that Jesus sets us free - through and through. Any and all programs are successful only to the extend that they focus on Jesus as the freedom-giver.
...which, incidentally, is exactly what sets Celebrate Recovery apart from the rest! He is the Great Healer, truly.
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