Tripped up by Religion? Jesus is the Answer!
When the Law becomes a weapon.
The confrontation was a tense one. A woman, caught in the act of adultery, is dragged before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees. Their motive isn't justice; it's a trap. (Ever felt trapped). They use the law of Moses, trying to corner Jesus, to expose him as too lenient or too harsh. Their religious rules, perhaps even their misinterpretations of scripture, have become a weapon, a harsh weapon. Have you ever felt tripped up by religion, by rules, or by a distorted understanding of faith?
The Bible, at its core, is not a complex book, yet it contains hard and often challenging truths. And then, Jesus stoops down and begins to write in the dust. Many scholars point to Jeremiah 17:13, which speaks of those who forsake God having their names "written in the earth," easily erased by the wind or rain, unlike names written in the book of life in heaven. Was Jesus writing the names of this womans accusers, reminding them of their own spiritual emptiness and forgotten need for mercy? We cannot say for certain, but their self-righteousness had clearly overshadowed any remembrance of their own failures. And yes, they were failures. Everyone is a failure. Our only hope is Jesus.
Then, Jesus utters those piercing words: "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." One by one, from the oldest to the youngest, the accusers depart, leaving the woman alone with Jesus. He asks her, "Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?" When she replies that no one has, Jesus, with grace and authority, declares, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." He doesn't approve of her actions, but he offers a path forward, a chance for redemption, and a life free from the cycle of sin. He then proclaims, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." Do you need a path forward, a chance of redemption, a life free from the cycle of sin?
If you've ever felt tripped up by religion or the burden of rules, it's time to shift your focus. Stop fixating on the wrong things. Instead, look to Jesus. Seek to truly know His Word and engage Him in prayer. Make a daily practice of reading His Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate its truths. Pray with the intention of deepening your relationship with Him.
We’ve started a a new podcast called Simple Discipleship ←click here. We believe in the power of engaging with scripture line by line, book by book, and discovering how the Holy Spirit meets us in the text. We encourage you to embark on this journey yourself. Join us, subscribe, and let's explore together how the living Word can transform your life and lead you into the light of Christ.