Well, all I can say is there would be a whole lot less stones thrown if we practiced this.
The key word here is compassion. Maybe we could add empathy as well. If each of us would simply acknowledge that we have areas in our own lives that need improvement, maybe we could relate better to those around us who occasionally fall short. The problem for us is that we consider our shortcomings are not as glaring as those of others. The Pharisees were hypocritical, conniving and in a sense, faithless. But that didn’t stop them from dragging someone else in to be stoned to death. I pray that we always remember to treat others with kindness and compassion.
I count at least 8 times in this chapter where Jesus says “I Am”. Even in His response to the unbelievers He is teaching His disciples. Really, He was helping you and I to understand who He is even while trying to convince those in His day.
For me, the whole chapter is really Jesus trying to help people understand who He is.
I call our attention to verses 31 and 32 “obey my teachings and they will set you free”. We can be free of our sinful desires and habits, free of the internal struggle to misbehave, and free from the condemnation and death sentence that comes from living a sinful life. We won’t be free from temptation, but we are free to choose to follow Christ, free to live the life that we want to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and free to enter into heaven for eternity. What is required of us in obedience to His commands in this life. And to help us obey, we have the Holy Spirit, guiding and directing us. What a privilege is ours in
Christ!
Blessings,
PR