Wednesday - October 5, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
WEDNESDAY

 BIBLE READING:  John 8:1-30

 In John 8, we find the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery. In the story, the Pharisees plotted to put Jesus between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.” They tried to trick Jesus, hoping He would mess up, which would allow them an opportunity to get rid of Him. We see in the text that they brought this woman to Him. However, that passage is very vague. There is no description of her, nor is there a record of anything she said in her defense, even though he had a reason to be upset. She was probably dragged into the square and accused of committing a sin that requires two people. However, she says nothing about her partner in crime. In fact, neither does the text. Where is he? Is he not just as guilty? Doesn’t he deserve to be punished as well? Why doesn’t she say something about him? 

 We can only speculate about her equally guilty partner. However, we can learn a valuable lesson from her silence. Was this woman sorry for what she had done? After all, throughout the story we never once see her repent of any wrongdoing, yet it seems that Jesus forgives her. All we have is a statement from Jesus when He says, “Go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). Sometimes guilt can be such a powerful tool that it can render us speechless. She knew she was guilty, and she knew that she deserved to be punished. There was nothing left to say. 

 Application: We have to consider what we would have done in a similar situation. Would we have made up an excuse? Sought to justify our actions? Maybe it would serve us well to say nothing at all and, instead, utter a silent prayer to our Heavenly Father, and ask for His forgiveness. Sometimes what says it best is to say nothing at all. 

 Prayer Request

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