ESOCS Devotional 2 October 2022
TEXT: JOHN 8:1–11
MEMORY VERSE: When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? “She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:10 & 11
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The coming of Jesus is an expression of God’s love for man. The expression “so loved” in John 3:16, shows how great the love of God for man is. Though man is sinful and worthy of death, it is not His will or His plan that man should die or perish. Hence He sent Jesus Christ to redeem man and save man from condemnation and eternity in hell. The ministry of Christ is to save and not to condemn. The event of John 8: 1 – 11 is a clear expression of this. Christ here demonstrates the ministry He has come to fulfill, a ministry that is completely different and a total departure from what had hitherto held sway in the people’s relationship with God. Before the advent of Christ, the law defined the people’s relationship with God and the basis of this relationship. It spelt out how they lived and defined matters of righteousness and unrighteousness. By it, man for transgression was liable to different degrees of punishment, which in many cases was the death sentence, usually by stoning. This was not good for man. For man is sinful by nature, which in practice translates to a daily life of sin (breaking the law); hence by the law, all men stand condemned. This was the case not just with the woman but with all who brought her to Christ, for all men by the law are sinners. No one is free from the sanctions of the law and all stand condemned by the law. Christ clearly demonstrates that all have sinned and He has come not to condemn sinners, but to give them salvation that they may be justified and freed from the bondage and curse of sin. This He accomplished at Calvary when He died in our place and paid the price of our sins that all who accept Him, who believe in Him will no longer be condemned, but have everlasting life.
This is a great demonstration of the love of God and His tender mercies towards man. All that is required is for the sinner to accept the salvation He is offering free.
CHALLENGES
- How possible do you think it is to keep the law?
- How do you think man will fare if judgment is based on how man keeps the law?
PRAYERS: Lord, I thank you for your love and tender mercies towards me. Thank you for dying in my place. I receive the salvation you are offering me. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Dwell in me and make me live the life that is pleasing to you. Amen.
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ESOCS Devotional 2 October 2022
