Monday, March 15

Psalm 51:1-2
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Begin your week with God by spending a few moments in reflection and confession. Allow the promise of God’s unfailing love and great compassion to wash over your heart and mind – bringing the cleansing of his forgiveness.

Read the story of the “woman caught in adultery.”

John 8:1-11
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where people gathered all around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you.” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Like many great dramas, this story has three main characters and three “acts” or scenes. Take a few moments to think through the story and identify the three characters and the three scenes.

Three characters:

1.

2.

3.

Three scenes:

1.

2.

3.

As you begin your week in the word – take a few moments to reflect on which of the three characters can you most identify with and why? Can you identify with the shame and pain of the woman? Have you ever played the role of the self-righteous religious leaders? Or, have you had opportunity to offer the compassion and forgiveness of Christ to someone else?

Ask God to use his word to shape your heart and life.

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Brian Coffey