Memory Verse: So when they continued asking Him, He straightened up,
and said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a
stone at her, John 8:7
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 39, John 18, Prov 15, Phil 2
BIBLE STUDIES: John 8:3-11
We read a very interesting story in our bible studies. The scribes
and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. The
interesting thing there was they left the man at home and brought the
woman. At first Jesus ignored them but when they continued to probe him
and ask him questions, he replied them saying “he that is without sin,
let him first cast a stone at her”. When they heard that, they all left
one by one leaving the woman with Jesus.
When you study the story closely, you will notice that the woman was
not a harlot or a prostitute. If she was a harlot the bible would have
mentioned it. For example the bible specifically mentioned that Rahab
was a prostitute, Judges 2:1.Anyway for one reason or the other the
woman fell into the sin and the whole neighborhood gathered to kill her.
The attitude of Jesus to this woman clearly shows us God’s attitude to
backsliders or believers who fall into sin. Ezekiel 18:23 says have I
any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the Lord God: and
not that he should return from his ways, and live? God is not interested
in the death or naming and shaming of backsliders or people who fall
into sin, He wants them to repent!
When Jesus heard what the woman had done, he did not say “and she
calls herself a Christian”. He did not call his disciples and gist them
about the sister who had falling into the sin. He did not add to the
story like many usually do and make it a point of conversation anywhere
He goes. Instead of judging the woman, He showed mercy. He helped the
woman get back into line instead of spreading the news which will
further break the woman. We need to learn from this and begin to follow
the footsteps of Jesus. When we hear the stories of brothers and sisters
in Christ or men and women of God who make mistakes, it is not for us
to judge them or spread the news. It is not an opportunity to make fun
of any church. It is a time to be sober and help them back to Christ. As
we celebrate Easter, let us not forget the reason why Jesus came. Jesus
said “I came not call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke
5:32). Easter let us remember backsliders all over the world and ask for
mercy for them.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please show mercy to all backsliders and bring
them back to Christ. Also pray for our brothers and sisters who are yet
to give their lives to Christ that the Lord will save their souls.
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