To this day, Jesus impacts culture in big ways. We can see what other people say about him, but, according to the gospels, is Jesus someone we can trust? When he encountered a woman who had cheated on her husband, he defied the law and stopped her from being stoned by asking the crowd to consider their own sinfulness first. He didn’t condemn the crowd or the woman, but showed them love and grace instead (John 8:1-11).
Question to consider:
How is Jesus portrayed in society today?
How would you describe Jesus, based on the encounter Jonny described in the film?
Read the story from today's video in John's gospel for yourself John 8:1-11
While Jesus’s miracles wowed the crowds his words were just as powerful. In just one encounter so many lives were impacted and transformed. This woman had probably never been shown this kind of compassion, love or forgiveness before she met Jesus. Nothing is unforgivable for Jesus and he was freeing her to go and live a new life. The crowd was impacted too - they needed just as much help but in a different way. Jesus was seeking to set them free from their judgemental and superior ways, reminding them that we all struggle with sin.
Digging Deeper
When we read the gospels, we always have the ending in mind. It's almost as if we read them backwards, with every paragraph getting its true meaning from the cross. We know that Jesus is able to forgive sin because he is the one who has paid the price for it. We receive God's forgiveness as a free gift but at great cost to himself - the life of his son, Jesus. It's one he was willing to pay because of his great love for us (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Many of us know the words of the Lord's prayer well and have recited many times 'forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us'. As we receive this forgiveness, the challenge for us is whether we have offered that free gift to others, even if it is at great cost to us. Are we willing to forgive, even when it hurts?
Reflect on these verses
Knowing that God has forgiven us at great cost, is there someone you need to forgive just now? Pray that God will help you do this, as you thank him for the compassion, love and forgiveness he has shown to us.
