The Devotional – Caught in Adultery

The Devotional – Caught in Adultery

Comment: Haggai 1:1-15 – 2:1-23 – a short book in the Old Testament that is rarely visited. If we were not studying an Old Testament survey in our Monday night class I would no doubt be looking elsewhere this morning for a few words of challenge. The name “Haggai” by etymology and meaning is uncertain and could be derived from the Hebrew word “Hag” or “Haggiah” meaning festival, or festival the of Yahweh. Also it is said that he was born on a feast day, possibly the feast of Tabernacles. The purpose of the Haggai’s writing, was the LORD’s concern for the people who returned to Judah under the lead of Ezra the scribe and Zerubbabel the governor and the sixteen year delay to rebuild the temple. The delay was caused the PERSONAL affairs of the people which interfered with God’s Will to restore the land and rebuild the Temple. Today in our land I see a similar trend, as the children of God we are too busy with our personal lives and have forgotten the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

Devotional: John 8:1-12 – There is the darkness of the world and there is the LIGHT of God, or we can say there is the LIGHT of God and there is the darkness of the world. Both statements are correct from a personal viewpoint. If I am of the world I use darkness to judge the living ones around me. If I am a child of God I use the Light of God to judge the living ones around me – get the picture?

Religion does not govern the SINS of people by the standard of God’s grace, religion governs people by “DEEDS”, apart from the grace of God. The religion during the LORD’s ministry on earth was a system of laws governed by lawyers (Sadducees) and priests (Pharisees). The system was corrupt, political and strict. Religion today has not changed, large denominations have their priestly leaders and their lawyers to keep their people in line and the public at bay.

The personal business of mankind often includes sin, we would be naïve to think differently. Yet given a moment in anyone’s life and being caught in a serious sin by the church, even adultery; the consequence is often a tragic loss for all effected. Not because of the act, but because of the actions of others who are reacting priestly like the Pharisee or legally like the Sadducee.

What do we see the LORD do in our passage this morning, in stooping down He wrote in the sand with His finger and then He stood up and said “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Returning to the ground he wrote again. One comment in favor of the religion of the day is that all of these men understood that they were sinners as well and left the place where Jesus was.

When Jesus stood up again and seen that only the woman remained and that all of her accusers had left He said to the woman, “where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? She said, “No one LORD.” And Jesus said to her. “Neither do I condemn you: go and sin no more. Jesus is the LIGHT of the world, he who follows Jesus will not walk in worldly darkness, they will however walk in the light, like Jesus… full of grace and truth – John 1:14-18 is a MUST read to understand grace and truth.