A New Creation

Today's Reading: John 8:2-12

Before I began my assigned reading of John 8:1-11, I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to talk to me through God’s word. I specifically asked for his help to understand what I read as it relates to change within my life. Within those few verses I struck gold. So what was so valuable you ask? Jesus uses a trick by the Pharisees to forgive MY sins!

First, the story in my own words: Jesus is sitting down teaching a crowd within the temple courts. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees bring in a woman who was caught in adultery and stand her before the group. They bring up the Law of Moses and tell Jesus that the law says to stone adulterous women but then they ask his opinion. I guess they figured that even the slightest “wrong answer” would allow them to accuse him of something. But what’s this? No answer? Instead he ignores them and starts writing on the ground. It’s only after they press him further that he answers their question, but not in a way they expected. Jesus says, “if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Slowly they all walk away knowing that they, even the teachers of the Law, are not without sin.

That’s when I pause and think, “Oh Lord, what a wretched man I am.” I relate to Paul in Romans 7:21-25, struggling with my own sinful nature. Sometimes it’s the past that tasks me and other times my present imperfections. Perhaps I should be at the center of that crowd, waiting to be stoned. But the Spirit whispers, “keep on reading." 

“Finally only Jesus and the woman remain and Jesus asks her, “Has no one condemned you?” To which she replies “No one, sir.” Jesus says, “Then neither do I condemn you.” and then declares, “Go now and leave our life of sin.”

Suddenly, Romans 3:22-24 came flooding in: 

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified feely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” 

Although I struggle to believe it, the Sprit tells me that like the woman, Jesus has freely redeemed both of us from death. Like her I can go on, leave my life of sin and concentrate on the things God has in store for me. The Spirit whispers, “Remember you are a new creation in Christ.” Quickly I turn to 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and read. I concentrate on verse 17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” I pray over verse 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.” Now, like the woman I am free. For like her, I know what to do. Move on daily, allow Christ to change my heart and go tell others the good news: Christ has risen!

- Max Haithcox