A Fresh Start
Posted by Dion Todd July 5th, 2024 1,409 Views 30 Comments
But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, "Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?" She said, "No one, Lord." Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more." John 8:7โ11 WEB.
One day while Jesus was teaching in the temple, there was a commotion. The Scribes and Pharisees dragged in a woman who had been found in the very act of adultery. Obviously, she was set up because that sin usually takes two people. Yet, the man they had caught her with was missing that day. They dragged her in front of the crowd, then asked Jesus to judge her and tell them what they should do. They reminded Him that the law of Moses said they should stone her.
The religious leaders knew that Jesus was gentle, loving, graceful, and merciful. They wanted to trap Him in His words so they could accuse Him of breaking the law. If He said, "Let her go," then He would be breaking the law of Moses. If He said, "Stone her," He would be breaking the Romans' law, for they had taken away the right of Jews to execute people for religious offenses. They tried to create a no-win scenario for Jesus.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground. It doesn't tell us what He wrote. It may have been names and sins, or possibly a scripture like this one:
You shall not spread a false report. Don't join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness. You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice. Exodus 23:1-2 WEB.
Then He stood up and said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." They all left, from the oldest to the youngest, until Jesus and the woman were alone.
Basically, everyone present was guilty of sin except Jesus. The whole trial would just be one sinner stoning another. John said that if we claim that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). Jesus did not condemn her for her past, but instead, He told her to go and sin no more.
People will look down on you, but the Lord Jesus Christ does not. If you have a checkered past, just keep it in the past. Start today fresh, forgiven, and from this day forth, walk with Jesus. Don't point fingers at the sin of others. We each have enough of our own to worry about. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. Without His grace, we are all lost.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace and mercy. I pray that You fulfill Your will in my life and lead me into all You have for me. Please open the doors that I should go through and close the doors that I should stay out of. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: โDo not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.โ (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
Join the discussion! Please sign in to comment, like, and share.
Jason Orozco commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Hallelujah. Thank You Lord Jesus for Your grace and mercy. I know I need plenty of both. ๐๐๐โค
Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace and mercy. I pray that You fulfill Your will in my life and lead me into all You have for me. Please open the doors that I should go through and close the doors that I should stay out of. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Wesley Cox commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Good morning, thank you for the morning devotional. God is great, good, worthy to be praised, and I pray everyone has a good day and is an effective light in this darkening world today.
Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Good morning, y'all, hope you had a joyful 4th and that He blesses you with a peaceful Friday and weekend ๐!
Scott Riegelmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Amen thank you Jesus
Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
God I have given my life to you to do your will. Father guide me into all you have for me. Please help me to make good decisions. Speak to me clearly so I can hear you clearly. In Jesus name I pray Amen โค๏ธ
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
AMEN and AMEN!!! Oh Lord, please help me to sin no more, not even the sins that so easily befall me, knowing when to be silent, in the name of Jesus, Amen and Amen!!!
Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Amen Amen Good Morning Everyone ๐
Cathy Webb commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Thanks, Pastor Dion, for the reminder of how easy it is to criticize and condemn. Lord, lift my eyes, guard my words, and lead me in Your will. Amen
Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Amen! Thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy, Father.โค๏ธ
Jeffrey Green commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
FATHER SO MANY TIMES IN MY LIFE I FORGET HOW MUCH I NEED YOU IN MY LIFE. YOU BLESSED WITH THE GIFT OF SALVATION SOME 33 YEARS AGO MY LIFE HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. THIS YEAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE WORST YEAR OF MY LIFE BUT YOU TURNED EVERYTHING AROUND FOR ME. I HAVE COME TO KNOW YOUR WONDERFUL GRACE AND MERCY. LORD, I LOVE YOU AMEN๐
Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Amen ๐๐โค๏ธโค๏ธ!!
David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Amen and Amen. Thank you Jesus for the Cross and redeeming me. Thank you for your Holy Spirit within me..though my thoughts I battle my flesh. Father help me fix my eyes upon Jesus. You are the potter, I am the clay. Mold me into the man of God You want me to be. Here I am Lord. Speak to me clearly so I hear you correctly. Help me go forth with what I believe You have for me. Your yes is yes and no is no. I need You as I can not do this on my own. Fill me daily with Your Spirit and Living Word. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen
Kim Gordon commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
I was breathing in your message when I was given this, 'Love the sinner but not the sin'.
Amen to both!
Rachael Burke commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Thank you Lord , for your unfailing mercies and Grace .?
Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Father, Thank you for your continuous Grace! In the name of our Lord Jesus, Amen!
Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: A Fresh Start
3 months ago
Jesus i thank You for grace and mercy and for filling my life with Your will. In Jesus Name I ask and pray, Amen
Craig Mondello
2 months ago
Amen Jason.