Rescued!

“…But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger…” (Jn. 8:6b)

What do you suppose Jesus wrote in the sand that day with His finger? Most of us know the story from John Chapter 8. A woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus by the accusing and indignant Pharisee’s. Many scholars and bible teachers have speculated and conjectured what Jesus might have written. Some have suggested that He was writing down the list of the 10 commandments. An interesting thought, if for no other reason then to realize it was His finger that carved the original tablets on Mt. Sinai! (Ex31:18). Others have suggested He was listing the sins of the accusing Pharisee’s. Perhaps, but of course we can never know in this world what Jesus actually did write in the sand on that fateful day. But I would like to posit my own theory. I believe Jesus wrote “Rescued” in the sand that day. Why? Because that is what He came to do. The Pharisee’s had said to Him, “…Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” In other word’s, what are you gonna do Jesus? They were trying to trap Him. They really weren’t concerned about the Law – in fact they were breaking it themselves that very moment. The law stated that both the man and the woman should be put to death. (Lev.20:18) But where was the man? Religion is always full of the self- righteous and the hypocrite. Here they were accusing and condemning her for breaking the law while at the same they were breaking it themselves! They wanted to trap Jesus into breaking the law so they could also accuse Him. They were hoping to expose Jesus as a false teacher and a false prophet. If Jesus had said not to stone her, He would have been contradicting Jewish law.

They wanted to stone her to death her because of her sin.

Jesus wanted to rescue her from her sin.

They feigned upholding the law. He wanted to rescue her from the hands of their hypocritical religion. However, Jesus upheld the correctness of the law by throwing it back into their laps, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again, He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Rescued!

Rescued! Because He is the truthful and just lawgiver who understands that mercy triumphs over judgment! Jesus did not come into the world to destroy men’s lives but to save them. He is here to rescue us from our sin, not to leave us condemned in our sin! Sin! It destroys men’s lives. The Law of God condemns us all as sinner's. But Jesus comes to redeem us from the curse of the law. He is the embodiment – the incarnation of the justice, goodness, and mercies of God! Jesus is the light and glory of God’s mercy that shines in the midst of the tragedy and darkness of our sin! Through the years I have gotten a deeper appreciation and understanding of God’s heart for people! He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of His salvation! I personally am getting a deeper and clearer vision of just how wide and how deep and how high the steadfast love of the Lord is, and His Tender Mercies towards us which are in fact – new every Morning!

There are many in the religious world today sitting around like Jonah waiting & wondering when God is going to judge and destroy all "those wicked people." Why is He waiting so long? Jeremiah tells us why! “… Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed….” (Lam. 3:22). My friends, the gospel message isn’t only about judgment, it’s about being saved from His judgment! Let there be no doubt that the Lord is coming to judge both the wicked and the dead, however, today is the day of salvation! Today! You can be saved and rescued from the judgment that is to come!

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)

I’ve been rescued from judgment! Have you?

- Andy White -