JESUS (15).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*JESUS (15)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

John 8:1-11

*Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

*And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.*

*And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,*

*They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.*

*Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?*

*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.*

*So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.*

*And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.*

*And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.*

*When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?*

*She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Jesus is patient and longsuffering often granting a second chance.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

In the Old Testament (OT), the woman caught in adultery in John 8 would not have a second chance how much more another chance to live again.

In the OT, in Moses' law, it is required that two witnesses and both parties involved are to be presented for judgment (Deut 19:15, 22:22). The accusers only brought the woman.

Under the Law of Moses adultery was

punishable by stoning (Lev 20:10).

Jesus asked the accusers a question which none of them was able to answer.

Each accuser departed the scene one by one when Jesus asked anyone who had not sinned to throw the first stone.

They left, starting with the oldest.

Jesus teaches us here how we all attimes, if not all the time, are guilty of selective prosecution/judgment.

A sinner is not justified to judge another sinner!

If Jesus were to judge the woman caught in adultery then all who brought her would be under the same judgment and condemnation.

"*All have sinned and come short of His glory,* Rom 3:23.

If God were to mark iniquity who will stand, Ps 130:3.

Jesus here introduces to us the ministry of reconciliation, not condemnation, 2 Cor 5:18-19.*"......God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;*

*To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."*

Jesus did not ask of the other party involved in the act of adultery, He was more interested in divine mercy that would allow as many as would turn away from their sins to make it to Heaven.

He expresses divine mercy that would not allow the death of a sinner who has not been given the opportunity to repent, 2 Pet 3:9.

We are all products of the pronouncement of Jesus: products of a second chance.

Not a second chance after we have known the truth (Heb 10: 29-31) but before we know the truth, Acts 17:30-31.

If we rely on a second chance after we had known the truth then we have wilfully sinned and we are accounted as *"....nailing Jesus to the cross afresh..."*, Heb 6:6.

You are not expected as a born again to repent twice unto salvation, Phlp 2:12.

While Jesus can restore one who sinned after he has received salvation, he must not see Jesus' mercy of a second chance as mercy without judgment.

Those who sin before they receive Jesus' mercy as the woman caught in adultery may receive mercy without judgment, but the backslider may receive mercy with judgment, (ref 2 Sam 11,12).

This underscores the message implies that continuing to engage in wrongful actions (sins) could lead to negative consequences in the future, possibly involving divine judgment or suffering greater than the physical ailment that was just cured.

If you are born again, you are already on a second chance. Once you are saved, you are not expected to go back to sin, Lk 9:62.

If you are not yet born again, a second chance to *"....go and sin no more..."* is available for you today.

*Remorse Corner.*

John 1:16 *And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.*

*Call to Word action.*

We have all received a second chance to

"go and sin no more,".

*The Christian clarion duty.*

We must not turn back to sin again,

*".....lest a worse thing come unto thee."*

(ref John 5:14).

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to *"....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".*

*"Let me serve you with fear and rejoice in trembling,"* in Jesus name (Philp 2:12, Ps 2:11),

Good morning and be blessed as you go today.

God bless you.

.

Shalom.