Amazing Love

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. 

– 1 Corinthians 2:9

When a woman caught in adultery was thrown at Jesus’ feet, the teachers of the Jewish law were more interested in backing Jesus into a corner than they were in stoning the woman to death.  The teachers were trying to trap Jesus.  Would He follow the laws of Moses and stone the adulterous woman, or would Jesus love yet again and show mercy to another sinner? 

They had no idea that Jesus had written their laws.  He could also read their minds and see into their hearts.  Instead of responding right away, Jesus knelt down and drew in the sand.  Some Biblical scholars believe Jesus was listing some of the men’s personal sins.  What if He was writing God’s #1 commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength? – Mark 12:30

Jesus told all the men circling the guilty woman to go ahead and stone her, boldly proclaiming, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her”  (John 8:7).  One by one the men left; first the older men, then the younger, until no one remained except Jesus and the woman.  Jesus asked if she had been condemned by the crowd.  I imagine her weeping in relief.  Jesus did not condemn her either but declared, “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11).

Jesus sees all our sins, but does not pick up rocks and threw them at us. His love is amazing and He forgives completely. He promises to take our all our heavy burdens (Matthew 11: 28).  If we’re fully forgiven by God, why do we carry rocks around and threw them at ourselves?  Why do we see our identity wrapped up in our sins? 

I have a friend, I’ll call her Marcy.  Marcy had several abortions when she was in high school and college.  She threw rocks at herself in the form of name calling.  Marcy put herself down consistently; publicly and privately.  Her self-worth plummeted. Marcy fell into a deep pit when she attempted to cover up the pain with alcohol and dangerous living. 

Many years after college, a friend introduced Marcy to Jesus.  She  accepted God’s amazing love and forgiving grace and she began the challenging journey of forgiving herself.  Finally, Marcy was set free from self-condemnation when she started counseling young women also struggling with the pain of past abortions.  As she took the stage to share her story of God’s amazing love with a large group of women, she beamed with confidence and positive self-worth. God had taken the broken, most ashamed pieces of Marcy’s life and was using them for good.    

God wants to do the same for you.  Lay down your rocks.  Forgive yourself.  Give God the broken pieces of your life.  Don’t be surprised when He uses them to heal, help, restore, and bless others.  His light shines brightly out of our cracked and broken vessels.

Engage With God - Read and Reflect

DAY 14 – Amazing Love

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. – 1 Corinthians 2:9

Daily Reminder: 

We all have things in our past that we’d be ashamed of if they were brought out into the light for all to see.  Just imagine how humiliated the woman was when she was caught in the act of adultery and thrown at Jesus’ feet!  His amazing love did not condemn her but pointed her in a better direction.   He wants to do the same for you.

Real Life Reflection Questions:

1.    What rocks do you need to lay down so you can love yourself completely?

2.    How do you think the woman caught in adultery felt after Jesus sent her on her way?

3.    Think for a moment about God’s amazing LOVE for you.  What pours out of your heart and comes to your mind?

QUICK PRAYER –

Lord God,

Amazing love, how sweet it is, to save someone life me.  I once was lost, now I’m found.  I was blind but now I see.  How amazing is your love oh Lord!  I will lay down my rocks of condemnation and walk burden free.  Your love has set me free.  Shine your light into my brokenness and let me bless others.  

In Jesus’ Precious Name I Pray, Amen

TODAY’S THOUGHTS – Lay down your rocks, run free!

Personal Bible Study- Read, record, and reflect on these scriptures. Let them seep into your soul.

Romans 8:1 -

Hebrews 12:1-2 –