JESUS stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8: 10-12.
In the account of the woman caught in adultery, we see the amazing contrast of image and intimacy.
Religion and the whole religious system preferred a good image over an authentic walk with God. The idea of trapping Jesus revealed what they were capable of doing just to stay in control of religion. Their bringing the accused woman to Jesus was not in pursuit of justice, it was a demolition job intended for Christ. They were willing to twist the truth they preached to accommodate the kind of “truth” they wanted to display.
This is all about power and everyone who stands in their path is a threat! They wanted to do a selective type of stoning rather than apply justice. Image was their goal, not intimacy with God. Image is based on the outward appearance of things, on a positive impression rather than a deep-down relationship, display instead of discernment, trapping people and subjecting them to public shame to make others tow the line.
Christ is not threatened. He is truth Himself!
Hypocrites cannot stand in the presence of truth. Jesus made the challenge, that anyone who was sinless can throw the first stone. One by one the accusers left. They would rather leave than repent—their image was at stake.
The woman, on the other hand, was not condoned by Christ—she was offered grace. She was made a model of what grace is, so that other uncaught sinners might find hope by faith in Christ. The Lord offered her more than good image. Jesus offered her a right standing before God.
Forgiveness of and victory over sin was the beginning of her journey to intimacy with the Almighty. Her sinful lifestyle made her a slave to her sin. Jesus offered her freedom by surrendering herself to Christ. The offer of intimacy with God included the power of God to transform a sinful person into a full saint!
Here are some key points I would like to highlight on this account:
* Are you one of the stoning crowd?
* Will you drop your stone, but instead of walking away, come near to Jesus.
* Are you the woman?
* Religion wanted to test her further, Jesus simply made a gracious offer.
* In what way does God want you to respond to Him today?
* Image-conscious people have too much to say; are too hard to please; and make too many demands.
* People who are experiencing intimacy with the Almighty have only brokenness to show, and almost nothing to say.
* You may have good image but are not intimate with God.
* Intimacy with God eventually takes care of image... Amen.
Here are some big ideas:
Religion and the world prefers good image, Christ offers grace and intimacy with God. The cosmetics for image preservation is abundant, intimacy with God is only available in Christ. Good image is not a requirement for intimacy with the almighty.
Will you choose image or intimacy with God? Here is what I really marvel about. Those who choose intimacy with God by faith in Christ are secure in their identity.
Ultimately, God takes care of image as a result of intimacy with Christ. Amen.
Thank you for reading. I always write from my heart.