Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Zane stared aghast, his mouth gaping open. His wife of more than a decade stood before him, confronting him with such grace, you would have thought it was a business transaction. This, this reaction was the last response he’d expected. Bracing himself against the door frame to their little yellow house with the picket fence, he now counted what he had chosen against.
She had caught him red-handed and red-faced. She now knew the truth behind his ‘extra hours.’ He sure was putting in time, but spending it with whom he had no business.
Shockingly, his wife did not scream, cry, or toss him to the curb, where he probably now belonged. No, she’s offered forgiveness. Forgiveness plain and simple. He needed to change his ways.
In John 8, Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees who were maliciously launching an assault on an adulterous woman. She too had been caught red-handed and probably red-faced.
The Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus and make an example of the woman. They quoted the law to Jesus, imagining how they could bring down this man’s popularity. He would need to enforce the law, and to do that; he would sentence a woman to death. Blood on his hands should quiet the crowds, still them from shouting his praises.
Jesus responded with, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Jesus’ simple statement diffused and dispersed a deadly crowd.
But then, after all had had to leave and just the two of them remained, how did Jesus himself react to her?
Jesus was the Son of God. He was truly without sin. He could have cast the first stone. And the next. And the next…
Instead, he chose 1) to extend her grace and not give her the consequences her crime commanded.
2) He refused to judge her.
3) He commanded her to correct her behavior. “Go now, and leave your life of sin.”
Not the reaction the Pharisees were expecting but the reaction we should study. What would the world be like if we each extended grace, refused to judge and sought to correct behavior, beginning with our own?
Reflections:
What leadership style did Jesus exemplify here?
How could I implement His example into some of my reactions?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your guidance and wisdom. Thank You for the example of Jesus demonstrating grace. How easily we judge one another, yet to be Christ-like, there are times when we need to extend grace. Please help each of us to distinguish when we are in one of those moments. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for reading! Please return by Monday, March 16, for the next post.