Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
Yesterday’s Scripture Reading from ourdailyverse.com was Colossians 4:2. “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” What a gracious gift God has given us through these words of Paul. We have been invited into a life of prayer. He doesn’t demand it but graciously offers us the privilege to not only come boldly before His throne but to come often – actually to stay in an attitude of prayer, making it the “heartbeat of our existence.”
“It is an opportunity to experience the profound intimacy of continual communion with our Creator, to align our hearts with His in every waking moment.” ourdailyverse.com
Through the years of knowing/quoting this verse, God has trained my heart to hear His voice, to be alert not only to the guiding hand and voice of His Spirit, but to watch with expectation for His answer and to discern His purposes unfolding in and around me. It has been in the watching and the staying alert, as Paul instructed his readers to do, that my prayers have morphed into not just requests but offerings of thanksgiving and praise. This way of praying becomes a way of living and has the power to change us from the inside out. It changes not only the way we think but the way we live and how we respond to life, to others, and to God.
We recognize that every blessing, every trial, every moment is an opportunity to experience God’s grace and faithfulness. Gratitude becomes the lens through which we view life, transforming even the darkest days into opportunities for praise.
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14
Using the analogy of a runner, Paul teaches us to press on … to continue on by keeping our focus on the goal, which he identifies as “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” He encourages his readers to “forget the past” and keep moving forward by focusing on what we can do today and in the days ahead to live for Christ until we meet with Him ~ whether through death or His return.1
He wrote a similar message to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14) – telling him to remain faithful, despite the evil that was around him, to continue on in the things he knew to be true, the things of faith which he had learned and been assured of and professed to others.
To the Colossians, he wrote that they were to continue in prayer, to be devoted to it. He wanted those he was writing to understand that prayer was an essential part of their faith and should be a constant in their lives, not just something scheduled for certain times or places. As one commentary explains, “It is meant to be an ongoing dialogue with the Lord.” Paul reiterates this in his letter to the Thessalonians when he tells them to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Paul mentions two important aspects of prayer. First, believers are to be “watchful” in prayer. This carries the idea of standing guard, or staying awake at night to make sure a location is safe. Prayer demands ongoing attention, just like the guard at a city gate. In practical terms, this means prayer is not supposed to be a careless, casual, or frivolous act. We should pray with specific purpose and with deliberate intent. Bibleref.com
John also writes to believers about continuing on in their faith… specifically to keep (continue, remain…) abiding in His love (John 15:9-11) and to abide (continue, remain…) in Him (John 15:4-7). Only when we choose to remain (continue on) in Him will we know the fullness of His joy and bear spiritual fruit for His glory.
Friends, continuing on isn’t always easy. It wasn’t in the days of Paul and John, and it isn’t in the days and times we live in now. Yet it is the calling of Jesus on our lives and the example He (and His disciples) set before us – even to the cross that Christ hung on and the unimaginable deaths that many of His followers faced. – May our God of grace and mercy help us to press on to the “mark of His high calling in Christ Jesus”. May we remember that He has given us everything that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4) and that through Him nothing is impossible.
Reflection and Application
What is the key to pressing (or continuing) on in our faith, even in this sin-infested world?
What is the key to remaining in Christ?
How can we encourage others to continue on in the faith?
I knew that the Queen of Sheba was in the Bible, but she is another of the women I don’t remember hearing much about or studying. However, after spending some time reading through 1 Kings 10, where we find the largest part of her limited story, I am both inspired and convicted by her. While it isn’t an extensive story, it is evident in the few details we are given that she is meant to be an example of how we should seek the Lord diligently and with determination to know all that we can about Him, and also the encouraging hope that when we do, we will find Him.
The Queen of Sheba, according to the biblical narrative, was a woman of great wealth, beauty, and power. Sheba, believed to be either in Ethiopia or Yemen by most biblical scholars, was a well-established city, and, although there is little evidence outside the Bible as to the nature of the monarchy and how it was established, it is clear that the Queen of Sheba ruled alone and was not enamored with the religions in her own land. ~Gotquestions.org
As the story goes, when the queen heard of Solomon’s fame, she also heard of the fame of the LORD. Her interest was more than mere curiosity. So great and serious was her interest in Solomon and his relationship to the LORD that it is said she traveled over 1500 miles to Jerusalem so that she could not only meet him but also question him with “hard questions” (1 Kings 10:1). I love that God’s Word makes it clear that Solomon was not offended or angered by her questions, but without offense or difficulty answered them all. She was more than impressed with Solomon’s answers and all that she saw, as the author of 1 Kings writes, “she was overwhelmed,” or as one translation puts it and David Guzik explains, “She was left breathless 3 by not just Solomon’s wealth, but the happiness, organization, and wisdom of the people he governed.” [1]
She set the bar high ~ leaving us to ask: Do we to such great lengths and search with such great diligence to know the King of kings? Do we long to know His wisdom, greatness, and verify the truths of what we’ve heard?
mefromthensideout
As short as her story is in 1 Kings, a total of a mere 13 verses, she is mentioned again by Jesus in the New Testament, although He refers to her as “Queen of the South” (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). He uses her as an object lesson to “illustrate the point that despite being originally pagan in belief and Gentile in race, the Queen of Sheba recognized the truth and reality of Gosd unlike the religious leader who opposed Jesus. As such, they would be condemned for their ignorant and defiant nature. 4
Reflection and Application
Gotquestions.org suggests that “two lessons can be learned from the story of the Queen of Sheba. First, like King Solomon, believers are to show evidence of God’s favor in their lives, whatever their role, profession, or environment. Second, the reputation of believers should precede them by their godly words and actions, for we are ‘Christ’s ambassadors'” (2 Corinthians 5:20). However, I would offer a third and very valuable lesson to that list. We should seek the Lord diligently and with determination. More specifically, we should make every effort to know all about Him, giving persistent attention to His words, imitating His actions, studying His likes and dislikes, and living accordingly. Like the queen, we should also seek/listen to the wisdom of others who know Him, asking the hard questions, pressing in to understand and know the truths concerning Him. When we pursue Him with such audacity, not only will we find Him, but like the Queen of Sheba, we will discover that He is far greater than we could have even imagined.
Jesus himself used the Queen of Sheba as an example of a seeker (Matthew 12:42), challenging later generations to seek Him with at least the same determination she showed in seeking Solomon. (AI overview of David Guzik’s commentary)
Friends, Let’s live in such a way that when others look at us, they see Jesus and the relationship that we have with Him, and may we be ready with answers for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).
Prayer of Response: I pray that when others see me or hear me speak, that they see and hear Jesus in me. I pray that they will ask me about my Jesus and find what they have seen and heard from me, not only to be true, but to be better than they even imagined.
She had come because of what she had heard. She traveled more than a thousand miles to find out if it was true, and she discovered that not only was it true, but “it was far greater than what she had heard.5“
Unlike most of the women we have journeyed with, Herodius is not a woman we would want to pattern our lives after. We meet her in our story today as the wife of Herod; however, Herod was not her first husband. Before marrying Herod, or Antipas1 as he was also known, Herodias was married to Herod’s half-brother, Philip. The more troubling part of the family connection is that she was also the daughter of Herod’s and Philip’s half-brother Aristobulus, making her their niece. Gotquestions.org states that when Herod was visiting Philip, he met Herodias and fell in love with her. Long story short, she divorces Philip and marries Herod Antipas.
As the study journal describes her, Herodias was one of the most wicked women. While there is no reference in the Bible comparing her to Jezebel,2 many commentators write that she was the “Jezebel of the New Testament”, using a variety of reasons, such as:
The Prophet vs. The Queen: Just as Jezebel fiercely opposed and sought the life of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19), Herodias held a deep grudge against John the Baptist and ultimately succeeded in having him beheaded. [1, 2, 3]
The “Elijah” Connection: Theologically, John the Baptist is recognized as coming in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). This makes Herodias’s hostility toward John an exact New Testament mirror of Jezebel’s hostility toward Elijah. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Controlling Wives: Both women were highly ambitious and manipulated their weaker husbands (King Ahab and King Herod Antipas, respectively) into carrying out their malicious goals. [1, 2, 3]
Using Their Daughters: Both used familial relationships—Jezebel using her daughter Athaliah and Herodias using her unnamed daughter—to achieve their wicked objectives. [1, 2, 3]
The last point (using her daughter) in the list of reasons that she was compared to Jezebel is where we find Herodias in our journey today. You see, Herodias bore a grudge against John the Baptist3, because he had told Herod that their marriage was unlawful.4 Herodias wasn’t just bothered by John’s declaration; her grudge was so strong that she wanted to kill him, but without Herod’s approval, she was powerless to do so.5 Herod, while not a fan or friend of John, “knows John is a righteous man and he fears him, plus he liked to listen to John. So, since Herodias is trying to kill John, Antipas holds him in the one place she can’t reach: prison.6“
Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. ‘Ask me for anything you like,’ the king said to the girl, ‘and I will give it to you.’
Mark 6:22
One would think that John’s imprisonment would have appeased Herodias, but prison did not satisfy her; she wanted him dead. So she came up with an evil plan and used her daughter to manipulate Herod when she danced for him at his birthday celebration. Whether the dance was meant to arouse his lust or simply play with his emotions, Harod was so pleased with the dance that he offered her anything she wanted. The girl asked her mother what she should request, and Herodias seized the opportunity and replied: “The head of John the Baptist.” Without hesitation, Herod ordered it done, and John was not only beheaded, but his head was delivered to Herodias’ daughter on a tray, who took it to her mother.
The story of Herodias serves as an example of the disgrace that lust and sin brings to a life consumed with pride.
Reflection and Application
Friends, from Herod’s lustful7 desire for his brother’s wife to Herodias’ hurt/angered pride aroused by John’s condemnation of their marriage and the sin of murder that ensued because of the lust and pride ~ is it any wonder that we are warned in Scripture that pride goes before destruction,8 and to “get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, we are to be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven us.” 9? Oh, let us not be like Herodias, manipulating an end that we desire – but may our hearts and minds be forever yielded to God, slow to anger, abounding in love, and quick to repent of our sins.
Practical Applications by Bible Hub
• Expect resistance when confronting sin with truth.
• Guard your heart from grudges; unresolved resentment breeds greater evil.
• Public righteousness may cost temporal safety but garners eternal reward (Matthew 5:11-12).
• The gospel calls even Herodias-like sinners to repentance; Christ’s resurrection proves that forgiveness is available to the hardest heart.
Summary
Herodias harbored a grudge against John the Baptist because his uncompromising proclamation of God’s law threatened her illicit marriage, her ambition, and her conscience. Her reaction—rooted in pride, political calculation, and spiritual darkness—culminated in John’s execution, fulfilling the biblical motif of prophetic suffering and underscoring the peril of resisting revealed truth.
The More We Know
The family history of Herod the Great is twisted and confusing. This is especially true given that “Herod” means “king” and seems to have been used as a family name by several members, whether they were recognized as kings by the Roman emperor or not. Herod Antipas is one of at least eight sons. Upon the death of Herod the Great, the kingdom was split into four tetrarchies, and Antipas the Tetrarch was given rule over Galilee, north of Samaria, and Perea, across the Jordan River from Judea. Antipas married the daughter of the king of Nabatea, a nation which bordered southeast Perea, and settled down to a life of irritating the Jews. ↩︎
John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, not John the disciple of Jesus. John was related to Jesus, as their mothers were relatives (Luke 1:36). In fact, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, he also told her about John. When Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb, she visited Elizabeth, and John leapt in his mother’s womb for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice (Luke 1:39-45).
Although his name implies that he baptized people (which he did), John’s life on earth was more than just baptizing. John’s adult life was characterized by devotion and surrender to Jesus Christ and His kingdom. John’s voice was a “lone voice in the wilderness” (John 1:23) as he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah to a people who desperately needed a Savior. He was the precursor for the modern-day evangelist as he unashamedly shared the good news of Jesus Christ. He was a man filled with faith and a role model to those of us who wish to share our faith with others. ↩︎
Lust is an intense, overwhelming desire, craving, or enthusiasm. While most commonly associated with strong, uncontrolled sexual attraction, the term is also frequently used to describe a powerful, often obsessive longing for something—such as a “lust for power,” wealth, or adventure. [1, 2, 3, 4] ↩︎
Dear Reader: Do you know the Lord of Heaven and earth, the one whom John the Baptist so faithfully proclaimed? If not, I invite you to follow the link to know the truths about who He is, and how He loves you and can save your soul.
Adapted from 100 Meditations on the Names of Jesus, p18
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (NLT)
I love the variety of synonyms concerning this particular name of Jesus. While they all mean the same thing, I am particularly fond of “the pioneer and perfecter of faith… as I picture a pioneer forging the way through … setting a path for others to follow … with the goal of leading them to a better place. ~ Which one is your favorite and why?
… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
… Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set NKJV/KJV
… looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, ESV
…. keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, HCSB
… looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, NASB
“Jesus is not only the originator of our faith, but He is the one who perfects it.”1
As always we must be careful to understand the context of the passages that we read as we journey through God’s Word. Specifically, in this passage, we cannot truly understand it if we do not know that chapter 11 was filled with the imagery of the faithful saints who have gone before us. The writer shares a considerable amount of examples to show “how God honors and works through true, godly faith—which is a trust sufficient to produce obedience, despite our doubts and fears (Hebrews 11:1–3). The writer also mentioned how these faithful ones endured hardships during their earthly lives, and even now are waiting to see God completely fulfill His promises (Hebrews 11:35–39.” Having these examples before us we should be inspired to run our own race of faith (“a trust sufficient to produce obedience, despite our doubts and fears”).Yet, the ultimate example, as the writer goes on to conclude here in Hebrews 12:2 is Jesus Himself, the beginning and the end, or as it is here written, in one fashion or another: The founder (pioneer, author, source, origiantor) and perfecter of our faith.
I believe it is worth it, if not necessary, to share this commentary from bibleref.com, explaining how Jesus is not only the ultimate example of godly faith but also as one who “suffered hardship and persecution (Philippians 2:8-11), as well as temptation (Hebrews 4:15), but never wavered in His resolve to do the will of God the Father (Hebrews 5:8). Christ’s entire ministry and the superiority of the new covenant (Hebrews 10:12–14) are grounded in His example, which we should strive to follow (Hebrews 2:10–11). His willingness to endure those trials came from an understanding that God could, and would, “work together for good” all of those things (Romans 8:28). The end goal of Jesus’ obedience was to establish the purpose we should be striving for: the “city with foundations” (Hebrews 11:10), our ultimate victory and reward in God (Hebrews 11:13–16; Revelation 21:1–14).”
The old hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” just flooded my mind. So let me end with that encouragement for us all; a wonderful call to worship and way to live … Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” As we know from the Scriptures, Jesus suffered much on our behalf – but we know that He never stopped doing the will of His Father, striving to please Him in all that He did. May this be our resolve as well my friends.
Reflection and Application
What do you think it means that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith”?
Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus. But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. Hebrews 3:1-2
According to the commentary by Bibleref.com, “for the Jewish people, there was no greater example than Moses, but according to this section of Hebrews, Jesus is far greater. These verses make a connection between Jesus’ role as our ultimate example—the “founder of our salvation”—and His superiority to even Moses.” The author clearly wanted the people of God to know and understand that Jesus is the One they are to follow.
Some may see the term “apostle” here as confusing. This is a title often given to the men who preached the gospel immediately after the ascension of Jesus. The term itself literally means, “one who is sent.” In the context of this passage, that is a perfect description of Jesus. He is One sent from God to bring us good news. He is meant to be our example, and we are meant to do as He did (John 13:13–15; 20:21).1
“In the next verses, the author will point out that Moses was faithful, but was also a created servant of God. Jesus, on the other hand, is the Creator and the Son of God. What Moses predicted, Christ fulfilled.” In doing so, He made a way to the Father where there was no way. So that all who come to Him by faith “are met with the power of His grace and love. There is forgiveness of sins, yes! There is also a call to a higher way of living.”2
In Luke chapter 2, Jesus turned to the crowd and told all who were listening that anyone who wanted to follow Him would have to turn from their selfish/wicked ways and take up their cross daily in order to follow Him. In other words, He was telling them they would have to be faithful to Him above everything else. In Mark chapter 12, He explained that this faithfulness required loving God and others above self, and in John chapter 3, He made sure that they understood what that love was to look like, namely, it was to be a mirror of His love- loving God and others, just as He has loved us. Thankfully, we who believe have been given His Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live and love like He did.
“There is no shortcut or bypassing the mandate to love God and to love others. Love encompasses the whole of the Law (Galatians 5:14). Anything else falls short of our heavenly calling.3“
Friends, may this prayer, borrowed from 100 Meditations of the Names of Jesus, be our prayer – on repeat …
Apostle of our Confession, You showed me how to walk in the ways and the power of God. May I be wise and discerning, choosing Your love above fear and pressures to conform. ~ Amen
Reflection and Application
“Beware of those who claim to know what it is to walk in the name of Jesus and do not live out the ways of Jesus.”4
He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Revelation 13:8
Christ, as the Alpha and Omega, is the first and last in so many ways.1
He is the “Author and Finisher” of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), signifying that He begins it and carries it through to completion.
He is the totality, the sum and substance of the Scriptures, both of the Law and of the Gospel (John 1:1, 14)
He is the fulfilling end of the Law (Matthew 5:17)
He is thebeginning subject matter of the gospel of grace through faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
He is found in the first verse of Genesis and in the last verse of Revelation
He is the first and last, the all in all of salvation, from the justification before God to the final sanctification of His people.
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5
I do not remember how old I was (most likely, somewhere between 13 and 16), but I do remember where I was when I first read John 1. I was sitting on my bedroom floor and checking out my new Bible (The Way Edition). While I didn’t completely understand them at the time, they definitely caught my attention and sent me on what I now realize was my first solo “journey through God’s Word”. I sat there on my bedroom floor trying to wrap my head around the fact that Jesus, the baby who was born in Bethlehem, could have possibly been with God in the beginning. Honestly, friends, while I believed the words I read were true then in my teens, it would be more than ten years before God helped me fully understand and appreciate the marvelous truth they conveyed. Truths like those listed above, namely, that He is the totality of the Scriptures, found in the first verse of Genesis and in the last verse of Revelation – literally the beginning and the end. The Alpha and Omega. The First and the Last.
Jesus as the beginning and end of all things is a reference to no one but the true God. This statement of eternality could apply only to God. It is seen especially in Revelation 22:13, where Jesus proclaims that He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Gotquestions.org
Jesus in All of Scripture
“A second meaning of Jesus as the “Alpha and Omega” is that the phrase identifies Him as the God of the Old Testament. Isaiah ascribes this aspect of Jesus’ nature as part of the triune God in several places. “I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last I am He” (41:4). “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). “I am he; I am the first, I also am the last” (Isaiah 48:12). These are clear indications of the eternal nature of the Godhead.”2
Reflection and Application
I was reminded recently in a study of Ruth that I’m doing with some ladies at my church that “God wants us to stay in His fields. We have no need to go wandering off into other fields, seeking fulfillment elsewhere. The world will dangle other fields in front of us, such as success, pleasure, or money. But these fields are dangerous. God has provided protection and everything we need with Him. Do not wander off.”3 A similar lesson appeared in this particular meditation on Jesus as the Alpha and Omega. ~ I pray it is an encouragement to every reader. “Everything we know in this world, from the earth to the skies above, falls within the confines of creation. No one person is greater than the Creator. Let’s be sure we don’t worship those we admire, putting them on pedestals they were never meant to occupy. Jesus is far better than the rulers of this world, far better, even, than the best of men. Let’s worship Him and follow in His ways, for He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. No one can compare with Him.”4
Adapted from the She Study, delighting in the examples of the Women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 87-88
Today’s Scripture: John 8:1-11 and 2 Corinthians 5:17; Roman 8:1
Have you ever been ‘caught’ in a sin? You’ve said something you shouldn’t have, and others heard it…you’ve lost your temper, and others saw your outburst of anger…you’ve lied and been caught in its web…you’ve treated someone unkindly, and others saw it…? I would dare say that everyone reading this has at one time or another spoken words you shouldn’t have … reacted in anger … lied … and/or been unkind … for the Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” However, we are not always ‘caught in the sin’. While we may breathe a sigh of relief to have escaped ‘being caught’ by others, it is crucial to remember that nothing escapes the eyes or ears of our Heavenly Father. Forgetting this truth can lead to danger as the theory that “no one knows or cares” makes it far easier to continue in the sin and find ourselves held captive by it.
God is considered omniscient, meaning He knows absolutely everything—past, present, future, and all possibilities. This includes knowing every thought, action, and secret of every person ~
As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”
John 8:3-5
It should be noted here that while this woman was at some point “caught in the act of adultery,” it is believed by some commentators that she had not just “been caught” and brought immediately before Jesus, but had, at some point been caught, and was known to be an adulterer.2 Here, she was being used as a pawn by the Pharisees, who were attempting to prove that Jesus was not following God’s law. The Pharisees make many mistakes in their failed attempt to discredit Jesus, which bibleref.com verse-by-verse commentary points out in more detail.3 However, we would be wise to pay attention to how Jesus uses their trap not only to silence his accusers but to set this woman free from the condemnation of sin and death that her sin required.
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. ~
Jesus appears to ignore them at first (v6), and “when they continue asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her'” (v7-8). Verse nine of John chapter eight, says that “When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.” Which, by the way – it is worth noting that the woman cound have fled with her accusers but instead, she remained in the presence of Jesus.
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ~ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more5.’
Friends, while the words Jesus spoke to the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee…” offer her mercy and pardon for her sin, they granted her freedom from the condemnation of the sin and death required by the law. They also offered hope of freedom from the sin itself, as He told her: “Go and sin no more.” Sweet friends, hear me when I say – that as one who has been held captive by sin before, I can tell you that there are few other hopes as meaningful and freeing as this one. Even as I write this my heart fills with the words from an old hymn that is my life’s story: ….“Mercy there was great, and grace was free; pardon there was multiplied to me;There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.”
Jesus’ response to the adulterous woman influences our understanding of judgment, mercy, and God’s perspective on sin. At no point does Jesus shrink from the fact of her sin. She was caught “in the act” (John 8:4) so there is no doubt about her moral guilt. Old Testament law called for the death penalty for adulterers (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22) so there is no doubt about her legal guilt. As the only perfectly sinless man (Hebrews 4:15), there is no doubt about Jesus’ moral authority to deliver harsh justice to this sinner. ~ Instead, Jesus demonstrates that simply because we can do something does not make it the best option. Christ’s question here sets up His response in the next verse. This is an instance of forgiveness, not ignorance. Jesus is not going to claim that the woman is innocent or that her sin is trivial. His deflection of the Pharisees was based on procedure: they followed the law incorrectly. Jesus will explicitly refer to her behavior as sinful even as He demonstrates that mercy is meant to take precedence over retribution, even under the Old Testament law (Proverbs 21:10; Zechariah 7:8–9; Matthew 23:23). Bibleref.com
Reflection and Application
How do we become “a new creation”?
2 Corinthians 5:17
The More We Know
While we don’t know what Jesus wrote, we do see how He turns the hypocrisy of these Pharisees against them. They were not wrong to seek justice under the Law. However, they are clearly not following it fully; they have only brought half of the guilty ones. Also, God’s law prioritized mercy over blind punishment (Proverbs 21:10; Zechariah 7:8–9; Matthew 23:23).
If the woman was caught “in the act,” then so was the man she was with—so where is the guilty man? This entire episode is an attempt by Pharisees to show that they follow the Law and Jesus does not. But even their trap fails that test: they’ve only brought half of the guilty parties (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22). The act of “placing her in the midst” is part of the Pharisees’ intended drama. This is meant to be as public as possible. That means Jesus’ response can be given as much publicity as possible. Of course, that strategy assumes Jesus is about to make a serious public-relations error. This assumption is once again false. ↩︎
Go and sin no more: Jesus sent her away with a call to stop her sin, and to continue stopped in regard to that sin. He sent her away without ever approving of or accepting her sin. i. “The form of the command implies a ceasing to commit an action already started: ‘Stop your sinful habit’. And the ‘no more’ points to the thought of no return.” (Morris) ii. Jesus did several things with these powerful words. · He recognized that what the woman had done was sin, because He told her to stop sinning. · He told her to repent, and to not continue her sin. · He gave her hope that her life could go on in freedom from sexual sin. · He gave her a word of hope to speak against the shame that would later likely threaten to overwhelm her life. iii. The woman needed hope because the consequences of her sin would be severe enough. After this she would likely be shunned by her community, and rejected by her husband, perhaps even divorced (assuming she was married or betrothed). ↩︎
Adapted from She, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 33-34
Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:39-56, Hebrews 11:6, and Psalm 37:4-5
Take delight in the LORD; and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD; trust Him and He will help you.
Psalm 37:4-5
Sometime after Mary professed her belief in the angel’s message and surrendered to the will of the LORD, she went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. You most likely know the story, but it never gets old, does it? Luke writes that Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, ‘God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Oh, how I love the words of Elizabeth, the description of the baby jumping for joy, and the sign that seemed to be to her that Mary had indeed been given the honor of bringing the long-awaited Messiah into the world.
As Mary had believed the words of the angel and surrendered to the will of God for her life, Elizabeth also believed and made her belief known to Mary, saying: “And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” What an encouragement that must have been to Mary, whom I cannot help but imagine has been feeling somewhat alone in all of this since she received the announcement. Though undoubtedly, her faith was a sustaining grace, the questions, conversations, judgments, and, especially, Joseph’s initial doubts had to weigh heavily on her mind and heart. Then she arrives at Elizabeth’s and is greeted with great excitement and honor. The Lord, our God, is so good to give us just the encouragement we need when we need it.
The willingness of the women to believe and Mary’s willingness to surrender were, as the study journal points out, “birthed in faith that if the Lord said it, there is no doubt it would happen.”
This is the faith that the author of Hebrews writes about in Hebrews 11:6, where we read: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Both Mary and Elizabeth believed that what God had said would happen. This reminds me of what Paul alludes to in Philippians 1:6, when he states that he is “confident that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.“
MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, ALSO SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE THAT WHEN WE BELIEVE WHAT THE LORD HAS PROMISED, HE IS CERTAIN TO PERFORM IT.
Reflection and Application
When you pray, is your attitude one of confidence – not in what you want but in what the Lord can do? If you are waiting for a prayer to be answered, are you confidently surrendered to the will/desire of God for your life or the life of the one you are praying for?
Friends, the way we pray and what we pray matters… consider this commentary from Hebrews 11:6 by bibleref.com:
What does Hebrews 11:6 mean?
This is a popular verse from the book of Hebrews, and also one easily misunderstood out of context. Taken all by itself, the verse presents a truth which is fairly easy to understand. Namely, that God’s first and foremost concern is with our faith—our attitude towards Him and trust in Him—rather than in our actions. This does not make our behaviors unimportant. On the contrary: what we do reflects what we truly believe (James 2:14–17). However, as this verse shows, merely “going through the motions” is not what God is looking for. Those who want to please God need to have faith, not simple agreement, and not merely reluctant cooperation. ~ ~The problem with quoting or reading this verse out of its context is the specter of “blind faith,” or wishful thinking. As shown in prior passages, the writer of Hebrews is not advocating for a gullible, wishful-thinking attitude. On the contrary, this entire letter has been an exercise in evidence and logic. The writer’s point is meant to emphasize the primacy of true faith over insincere works: robotic obedience without legitimate trust in God is worthless. This lesson is given as part of a description of Old Testament figures whose actions prove their faith. (emphasis mine)
The More We Know
“Many of our prayers appear to go unanswered simply because we do not believe that God is willing and able to bring them to pass.”2
She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible/Volume 3/p33 ↩︎
She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible/Volume 3/p34 ↩︎
Adapted from She, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 29-30
Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:21, and Psalm 40:8
I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8
I love the details of Matthew 1:21, where the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream after he had decided to break off the engagement and told him not to be afraid to marry her, explaining that the child she was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
To borrow a quote from the She study journal, p31, “Mary carried the Savior of the world into this world for a specific purpose.” He would save His people from their sins.
An angel also visited and encouraged Mary, telling her she was highly favored and blessed among women; he assured her that the Lord was pleased with her. The angel’s words were not only about her, though; he also told her about the child, saying: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” She learned that He would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and that his kingdom would never end. Wow! Talk about a good and encouraging ‘ultrasound’ report! (Luke 1:32-33)
Mary’s response was one of willingness, saying: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) In other words, “Thy will be done.” Whatever God had said or asked of her, she believed the angel’s message and surrendered to the Father’s will.
MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, ALSO SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE THAT GOD CAN USE US FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
What did it mean when Mary said: “…be it unto me according to thy word…”? Is this our attitude/answer to Him in life?
Me From the Inside Out 