Session 6

Today, we show mercy to others….

Listen to the ending of the story of the woman found in adultery… she has committed adultery…a group of men gather to punish her… Jesus diffuses all their aggression with a gesture… he shows them how to forgive… and why…

John 8:6-11

And once again Jesus 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.’

Notice how Jesus teaches the men how to forgive… he bends down and writes on the ground… their anger has made them believe that they can only respond with violence… Jesus teaches them to pause in the face of anger… so that they can choose a different way to respond… take a moment to watch him as he bends down to write on the ground… and notice the freedom his gesture releases in you…

There is a truth you need to realise about yourself if you are to learn to forgive… You are still growing… You are still making mistakes… You are not yet as perfect as you think… If you do not accept this truth then you will not be able to understand that others are in a process of growth too… You will never be able to forgive them… Allow this lesson in forgiveness to infuse your heart…

Remember the people in your life you still need to forgive… whether there are hurts that you have held for a long time…raw edges in your life at the moment… or lesions of which you are just becoming aware… Spend some time forgiving those people in prayer… when you meet them you can forgive them face to face… Speak to Jesus about what you need to be able to show mercy…

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.
Amen.