Time Alone
[The earliest and most reliable manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53-8:11.]
Scripture – John 7:53-8:6: Then each went to his own home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture) Over the years, I’ve seen this story as questionable. The translators’ note at the top of the page tells why. So even though this is one of most familiar New Testament stories, I’ve never preached on it nor taught from it. Given my pre-disposition, I can say there’s nothing here that goes against the pictures of Jesus we’ve seen so far in John. I notice here, for example, Jesus spent another night alone. From time to time, He makes sure to get away from everyone. I presume it’s time to pray, clarify His focus and perhaps settle His mind. We don’t really know. We just know He sometimes gets away.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read) That’s something I need, as well. I will spend some time alone today to pray and settle some things in my mind and heart.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer) Lord, thank you for your peace and presence. Please focus my mind on the mission you have for me today.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Tim Hortons (Dix and Northline in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
Scripture – John 7:53-8:6: Then each went to his own home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture) Over the years, I’ve seen this story as questionable. The translators’ note at the top of the page tells why. So even though this is one of most familiar New Testament stories, I’ve never preached on it nor taught from it. Given my pre-disposition, I can say there’s nothing here that goes against the pictures of Jesus we’ve seen so far in John. I notice here, for example, Jesus spent another night alone. From time to time, He makes sure to get away from everyone. I presume it’s time to pray, clarify His focus and perhaps settle His mind. We don’t really know. We just know He sometimes gets away.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read) That’s something I need, as well. I will spend some time alone today to pray and settle some things in my mind and heart.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer) Lord, thank you for your peace and presence. Please focus my mind on the mission you have for me today.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Tim Hortons (Dix and Northline in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
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