Scripture

Our verse for today comes from John 8:5, “‘Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?'”

Background

I read a sermon last night, only it wasn’t intended to be one. It was actually an e-mail from a friend, telling me of an encounter he had had with some landscape workers shortly after church. As he and his family got out of his car in his driveway, this landscape truck and trailer went speeding past his house much too quickly for any neighborhood, especially the one where his kids live. So as my friend yelled for them to slow down, he marched up the street to confront the driver about the danger he was imposing. Before he could even reach the truck, the driver was already screaming at him, and he and my friend then embarked in a battle of wills that included everything but punches. It was deplorable Saturday night behavior on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and my friend knew it by the time he returned to his home a few minutes later. So as he thought and prayed, he was convicted that he needed to right the wrong. But not just because he was a redeemed child of God. More practically, he feared for what this angry stranger might one day do to his house or family to pay him back for the argument. But by then, the truck had driven past his house. Surprisingly, though, it had stopped one house away. And so my friend went out to find the driver, who was walking back to his truck from the neighbor’s door. He had stopped to try and find my buddy, ashamed of his behavior, too, and wanting to reconcile. They both humbly apologized, and formally met one another the way God intended His children to.

Application

At last, it was no longer about who was right. For my friend clearly was. But so were the Pharisees. The woman they caught in the act of adultery deserved to be stoned. She was a lawbreaker, a home wrecker, a whore. They were right, but Jesus handled it right. They accused, but Jesus defended. They knew the law, but Jesus loved the woman. Recently I’ve heard some people, from laypeople to church leaders, who think they’re right. And they might be. But is being right what it’s all about? Is that what all the teaching and training is for? Or is it to compel us to handle it right? My friend knows the answer.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God to help you understand what He wants you to be right about. Ask Him for grace to love the person more than you love being right.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words