This week we will continue to explore 7 ways Jesus showed love, love that we can seek to replicate to those around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the scribes and the Pharisees\u00a0brought a woman caught in adultery,\u00a0making her stand in the centre.\u00a0\u201cTeacher,\u201d they said to him, \u201cthis woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.\u00a0In the law Moses\u00a0commanded us to stone such women.\u00a0So, what do you say?\u201d\u00a0They asked this to trap him,\u00a0in order that they might have evidence to accuse him.<\/em> In reading the gospels in the bible you will see that Jesus is the master of listening. He takes time to listen, Jesus is shown to be patient and actively listening, not rushing to think about his own answer and just talking instead of listening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this bible passage today, Jesus is grilled by a group of religious men looking to trap him. They present a woman to him and they outline her sins and failings, not caring or seeking justice but looking to find fault with Jesus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of answering he just starts drawing in the sand! What was he doing, what was he writing? Well, I don\u2019t know but it was clear that Jesus was listening. He spoke just one thing to them, basically \u2018if you are sinless then throw the first stone at her.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Silently, quietly, her accusers slipped away until it was just Jesus and the woman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jesus stood up, he said to her,\u00a0\u201cWoman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?\u201d<\/em> Jesus was able to listen and hear people, not problems or gossip, he didn\u2019t turn his heart and head to that. He moved beyond all that to people, their lives, their heartbreak and their chaos. He listened to the deeper things, the unsaid things in lives around him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So often we want to be heard over making time to listen to others. Could be a good reminder here how loving it can be to listen. Listen like Jesus.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image Credit: Jon Tyson<\/p>\n
Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger.\u00a0When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them,\u00a0\u201cThe one without sin among you\u00a0should be the first to throw a stone at her.\u201d\u00a0Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.\u00a0<\/em>
John 8:3-8<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWoman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?\u201d<\/strong><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo one, Lord,\u201d she answered.<\/em>
\u201cNeither do I condemn you,\u201d\u00a0said Jesus.\u00a0\u201cGo, and from now on do not sin anymore.\u201d<\/em>
John 8:10-11<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n