Monday 4 April 2022

Today is Monday the 4th of April, in the fifth week of Lent.
Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘There is None Like You’. As you settle into prayer, can you make these words your own, as a prayer to Jesus today?
There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity, Lord
And find, there is none like You
There is none like You, Jesus
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity, Lord
And find, there is none like You
Your mercy flows like a river wide
And healing comes from Your hand
Suffering children are safe in Your arms
Oh Lord, there is none like You
There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity, Lord
And find, there is none like You
I could search for all eternity, Lord
And find, there is none like You


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.
John 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’

‘Teacher’. A title suggesting authority. Authority brings responsibility. Is this something you have experience of? How do you respond when asked to make a decision, especially about someone you don’t know?
Jesus knows the decision the Pharisees are looking for. He understands their mindset and that whatever he says will feed their intolerance. His challenge offers the opportunity for discernment.
For the woman, there is only grace. Hear Jesus speak to you, as he speaks to her: 'I don't condemn you. Go on your way and don't sin.'

As you listen to the passage again, place yourself in the presence of the Lord, not condemned but being sent out today, loved and trusted.
If Jesus were to write a message on the ground for you today, what might it be?

You have given all to me
To You, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours, do with it what you will
Give me only your love and your grace
That, is enough for me.