REFLECTIONS ON JOHN 8:1-11, DEBRA KRAUSSE, SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

John 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.  Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 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. So, what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Again, he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So, he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin anymore.” 

Meditation
All of us have had a special teacher we loved because he or she made learning interesting. We have taken the lesson and thought about it later. Jesus does this for us. He not only teaches the people who come to him but also teaches a very specific lesson to the Scribes and Pharisees. Let us look at learning differently from now on.

Prayer
God, you love me as your own child. May I bend my life and will toward you so that I might accept your teaching and guidance. I am so grateful for your support in my life, now and in the eternal life you are preparing for me. I beg for your help and Spirit in my life today. Amen

~Submitted by Debra Krausse, Saint Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma