WISDOM FOR TODAY.
CHRIST STOOPS THAT YOU MAY STAND.
Scripture Treasure.
John 8: 5 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
Insight and Highlight.
While critics and accusers stand against you, Christ stoops that you may stand against them.
Scripture Commentaries.
To stoop means to descend lower than anyone else. To descend lower than anyone else means while everyone stands, you are beneath them. Christ stooped when He washed the disciples' feet, John 10:1-17.
He stooped to raise the dead, Lk 8:54.
He stooped to lift Peter from drowning Matt 14:31.
ln John 8, a woman was caught in adultery and was brought to Jesus.
The people told Jesus that Moses had written in the law that the punishment for adultery is stoning, Lev 20, John 8:1-11.
The people had three motives.
First, to tempt Jesus against Moses's commandment.
Second, to tempt Jesus against His own declared will to save or give life rather than to kill.
Third, to ensure the woman is punished to die by stoning.
In response, Jesus did two things.
First was to ask anyone who had not committed any sin to cast the first stone. There was none of them without a sin.
Secondly, He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
What did Jesus write on the ground?
What is the significance of Christ stooping to write on the ground?
These questions we hope to answer along with the four things this act of Jesus teaches us
The four lessons Jesus teaches us are as follows.
First, Jesus' request that the accusers cast the first stone teaches us that the law can never attain fulfilments or its purpose when the offender is recommended for punishment by people who ought to be punished themselves.
Second, sin blinds. Sinners do not see themselves as sinners, but they are able to see others and judge them.
Third, the law of Moses requires both the man and the woman to be stoned, but only the woman was brought for judgment, Lev 20:10.
Fourth, Christ is God of order.
If there is a law that prescribed death by stoning for the sin of adultery, there must be an amendment, ratification, or a revocation of this law for another law to come into effect.
Today, we will look at the first one.
In Jesus' encounter with the accusers of the adulterous woman, Jesus asked that any of them who had never sinned to cast the first stone. None could cast a stone because there was none without sin.
Jesus here tells us that the law that the accusers cited worked against them because they were as bad sinners as the woman was.
They were offenders who ought to be punished themselves.
The law is never fulfilled or can never be effective and efficient if the offender is recommended for punishment by people who ought to be punished themselves.
Christ's stooped for this woman to shut the mouth of her accusers.
It was not just for her but for us.
He asked the woman, ......where are your accusers...?
It tells us that Christ will do anything for us, Rom 8:32.
Christ, as our advocate, stoops for us pleading for mercy so that we could stand before God.
The woman accused was set free but Jesus warned her not to sin again.
Just as Jesus stooped to later lift "....up himself,...." so Christ stooped that the woman caught in adultery may stand and live.
We must look inwards to ask if we are just and right before God to demand or merit justice.
Christ has already stooped on your behalf. What are you doing to remain standing?
Remorse corner.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Call to Word action.
2 Cor 5:21 For He hath made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
The Christian clarion duty.
Christ stooped for you, and He remained exalted and is now seated at the right hand of God, Philpns 2:6-11, Mark 16:19. This is why you are standing. Remain on your feet so that you will also sit at the right hand of the Father, 1 Cor 10:12.
Prayer.
Lord, help me to stand not to ever fall in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.