Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Just What Was He Scribbling in the Sand?

I wrote this on a card some time ago, and in cleaning out my day planner and transferring to the new one, I came across it. I'd like to share:


"I have been judged by the word and driven to my knees for mercy.
Grace poured forth from my Savior's bloody hands and
He lifted my head to Him and drew me to my feet."


So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ,
that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24


Recently I was meditating on the story of the Woman caught in adultery who was brought before Jesus to be stoned. Stoning was God's idea~to remove impurities from among Israel. Jesus then stooped down and started writing in the sand.


I like to picture Jesus in those moments of confrontation that he experienced so often with the Pharisees. He remained so calm.


I want to know that composure in the face of conflict.


So after writing in the sand, Jesus said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
As we know, one by one, everyone left. The guilty woman was left alone with Jesus. No doubt she was a huge mix of emotions.


After having been caught in the act. Imagine it for a moment. Then to be drug away by angry, self~righteous men, perhaps she wasn't even half~dressed... then tossed to the dirt before the HOLY ONE. Her shame must have threatened to overwhelm her...perhaps she was close to passing out...


I am a huge fan of Michael Card. I love his song "Scribbling in the Sand" because though we don't know what Jesus was scribbling, it makes perfect sense that he would hold up the mirror of the law for the "stoners" to look into, and thus destroy any self-righteousness they had. It also would have helped the woman see, and know that the law that was about to condemn her was just, but...


Jesus was "between her and the law". Our intercessor, Mercy Personified, was there. Offering her pardon, which must have been another unbelievable moment. Who just moment's before was on the verge of death and condemnation, now was able to walk away free.


With Jesus' parting words to, "Go and leave your life of sin."


I think those words remained with her for the rest of her life. When I am vulnerable, and my emotional level is at a 10, it seems I remember everything said to me. Words sting when they are not meant to, and they can sink in deeper due to my emotional vulnerability.


Have you noticed that? When you are exposed. When you are tried in a firey furnace, you process things through your pain. You are more tender. More impressionable.


In the case of the woman caught in adultery, and in the case of me everytime I see in the mirror of God's word where I am missing the mark of pleasing Him...It is clear that:


The Law is good. Repentence is a gift. Mercy is sweet.
All are steps on the path to freedom.




Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Psalm 119:97


My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. Psalm 119:20


Why not start 2010 by reading Psalm 119 and meditating on it?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

6 comments:

A Stone Gatherer said...

I just got done reading a book where this passage was talked about alot! It was about forgiveness and healing. Thanks for sharing this Kathy. I think God may be telling me something with this "verily, verily" moment! Happy New Year to you!

Tracy said...

Wow! Powerful post my friend. So very true that moments of extreme vulnerability have a way of intensely clarifying things for us (whether good or bad). Such truth to the fact that our pain certainly tenders our heart like nothing else.

So glad you shared this. I really like the idea of starting 2010 by meditating on this Psalm.

Blessings to you and yours for the new year. (Loved your Christmas letter...2009 was quite a year, huh?!)

Debbie said...

If she was 'caught in the act', then there was someone with her. I've always wondered why he wasn't dragged along with her. Surely the man was as guilty as her.
Good points; good post. Thought provoking.
Debbie

Lisa Smith said...

I want to know that composure in the face of conflict.

Yes, dear sister, I do too! The tenderness and intimacy in this post is beautiful. I want to meditate on your laws day and night, Lord!

Happy New Year, Kathy!

Edie said...

Oh yes how I run every word through my mind again and again. What love and mercy our wonderful Savior has for us.

Jesus was the only one there without sin and yet He did not cast the first stone. Or maybe He did in that scribbling.

Rich blessings on you and yours for the new year!

Much love to you!

Aunt Angie said...

Kathy--I came here...just after posting a comment on my facebook page about seeing the same message twice---in a matter of hours...in 2 different books. One was my devotional for yesterday---which I neglected to read YESTERDAY---but the other was in a book that I am reading--and the message pricked my heart-because it is dealing with something I am right now praying about...then I come here...

And see the VERY passage referred to and words to add to the message to my heart (from your sidebar).

God is powerful and sends us to the places He would have us go--and uses us in ways we couldn't dream we could be used.

In 2010 HE will USE YOU EVEN MORE.

Much love to you!

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