Love Without Warning
I wonder...
I wonder if she knew when she woke up that morning that her life would be changed forever.
I wonder if she understood that by the end of that day, she would literally be dragged from the darkness and thrust into the Light.
Her name is unknown, as is her background. All we really know about her is that she was caught in the act of adultery and has become one of the most famous of the Bible's poster children for grace. Many sermons (possibly in the millions) have been preached about the love that Jesus bestowed on her that day. She is probably the most single shining (or should I say glaring?) example of the difference between religion and relationship.
But still I wonder...
Did she have a family? Was she a single working mom trying to keep food on the table? Or was she a bored suburban housewife looking for a little action? Where was the man she was caught with (assuming it was indeed a man)? What was she thinking as she was being dragged through the streets? Was she crying? Was she screaming in protest? Did she beg for mercy? Moreover I wonder...was she looking for grace or did she just get clobbered with it?
Most people come to Jesus because their hearts have been convicted after hearing a sermon, or they've been scared to death by a "hellfire and brimstone" message, or they've just been overcome by His love. This woman doesn't seem to have been given an option. I mean, the Bible does say she was "caught in the act." It doesn't seem as though she had any thought of seeking redemption. If anything I think this story is another example of just how little we have to do with the act of being redeemed. (I don't suggest running out and dragging your lost loved one down to the altar, but after reading about this woman it is tempting, no?)
Had it been me (and on more than one occasion it has been...let's face it...we all sin) I would have been crying out for mercy that my life would be spared. But that's probably as far as I would have thought to ask. I highly doubt I would have expected anything more than to leave the temple with my life. I truly think that that's what this woman was doing as well. Begging for her life, and not really understanding what that meant.
I wonder...
How many of us have been putting a limit on Mercy by only wanting to escape hell and have no thought of the abundant life that Jesus died to give us?
Whatever was going on in the woman's mind that day, it's obvious she wasn't expecting to receive any sort of pardon. There she is... all the rocks have fallen to the ground, people are leaving, and she's still standing there, awaiting Jesus' judgement.
I wonder...
How many of us are still standing there before Him...waiting for a death sentence that will never be given?
I wonder...
God...I wonder at You. We run from You, scream out Your name in profanity, we deny Your existence and worship ourselves. Yet still...Your love is relentless, and it finds us even when we aren't looking for it. Father clobber me with grace. Keep me in wonder, and never...ever...let me go.
I wonder if she knew when she woke up that morning that her life would be changed forever.
I wonder if she understood that by the end of that day, she would literally be dragged from the darkness and thrust into the Light.
Her name is unknown, as is her background. All we really know about her is that she was caught in the act of adultery and has become one of the most famous of the Bible's poster children for grace. Many sermons (possibly in the millions) have been preached about the love that Jesus bestowed on her that day. She is probably the most single shining (or should I say glaring?) example of the difference between religion and relationship.
But still I wonder...
Did she have a family? Was she a single working mom trying to keep food on the table? Or was she a bored suburban housewife looking for a little action? Where was the man she was caught with (assuming it was indeed a man)? What was she thinking as she was being dragged through the streets? Was she crying? Was she screaming in protest? Did she beg for mercy? Moreover I wonder...was she looking for grace or did she just get clobbered with it?
Most people come to Jesus because their hearts have been convicted after hearing a sermon, or they've been scared to death by a "hellfire and brimstone" message, or they've just been overcome by His love. This woman doesn't seem to have been given an option. I mean, the Bible does say she was "caught in the act." It doesn't seem as though she had any thought of seeking redemption. If anything I think this story is another example of just how little we have to do with the act of being redeemed. (I don't suggest running out and dragging your lost loved one down to the altar, but after reading about this woman it is tempting, no?)
Had it been me (and on more than one occasion it has been...let's face it...we all sin) I would have been crying out for mercy that my life would be spared. But that's probably as far as I would have thought to ask. I highly doubt I would have expected anything more than to leave the temple with my life. I truly think that that's what this woman was doing as well. Begging for her life, and not really understanding what that meant.
I wonder...
How many of us have been putting a limit on Mercy by only wanting to escape hell and have no thought of the abundant life that Jesus died to give us?
Whatever was going on in the woman's mind that day, it's obvious she wasn't expecting to receive any sort of pardon. There she is... all the rocks have fallen to the ground, people are leaving, and she's still standing there, awaiting Jesus' judgement.
I wonder...
How many of us are still standing there before Him...waiting for a death sentence that will never be given?
I wonder...
God...I wonder at You. We run from You, scream out Your name in profanity, we deny Your existence and worship ourselves. Yet still...Your love is relentless, and it finds us even when we aren't looking for it. Father clobber me with grace. Keep me in wonder, and never...ever...let me go.
Comments
Blessings!
Oh and you're right, Crystal Lewis can sure enough SANG! Have a great evening.