Lent - Day 34 (11/4/2011)

Such People!

John 8:1-11

When we use the phrase "such women" (John 8:5), or more generically, "such people", we draw a line between ourselves and "such people" - not only implying that we are not "such people" but that we are better than "such people". What Jesus did was to remove that line and forced the Pharisees to see that they are no different, and certainly no better. But let us not romanticize about the woman either.

She was caught in adultery. There was not question as to her guilt. She was either the third party with an adulterous man, or has betrayed her husband sexually with another man.

Even so, Jesus does not allow us to view ourselves different, or better, than her.

Prayer
Lord, show me what needs to change in my relationship with those I would normally view as "fringe members" or even "outcasts" in my church and community.
Grant me to have a compassionate and understanding heart in situations where I am likely to be judgmental and self-righteous.

From Contemplation to Action
In life, its is easier for us to identify ourselves with good, righteous people, than to be lumped together with those who are considered worthless or sinful. As a useful exercise - why not try and identify with specific persons that we would easily label "such people" - someone in our community whose marriage has been wrecked by his or her infidelity perhaps? Or some young "party type" who has no interest in spiritual things? Or a rich and haughty so-and-so couple who frowns on our relationship with their son and daughter? Or the good-for-nothing chap who smokes and drinks outside church and talks too loudly in church?

What would be useful is to remember Jesus' words in John 3:16,
"For God so loved the world that God gave God's only Son ..."