John 8:2-11 - Early in the morning He (Jesus) came again to the temple. All the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?" This they said to test Him, that they might have some charge to bring against Him. Jesus bent down and wrote with His finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask Him, He stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more He bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our international ministry centers to write our Sunday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem teaching when suddenly the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery.
They denounced her crime and asked Jesus what to do. They were not looking for justice but were seeking to test Him, so they might have some charges against Him.
Instead of providing answers, Jesus bent down then strengthened up and said to them "Let anyone among you who is without sin be first to throw a stone at her."
The accusers were left to face their own consciences. When they heard Jesus' challenge, they were unable to proceed, and each of them went away in a confused state of mind.
Jesus was left with the woman standing before Him. She had not a single word to offer in her defense. Indeed, the Law said she deserved to die -- period.
But our Lord Jesus had looked into her heart and seen the repentance there. He did not approve of the wrong she had done, and He showed her the way out from sin.
Brothers and sisters, what attitude do you adopt when your fellow Christian succumbs to sin? Do you offer only accusations, but hold out no hope of repentance and forgiveness, or do you try to emulate Jesus' goal of forgiveness and restoration, saying,
"Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and as from now on do not sin again".
One other thing: remember that Jesus suffered and died so that statement could be said to the rescued and redeemed sinners of the world.
THE PRAYER: Lord God, we ask Your forgiveness for refusing to forgive someone who needs our forgiveness. We acknowledge having acted against Your will in word and deed. Thank You for sending Your beloved Son Jesus as our Redeemer. In His holy Name we pray. Amen.
Biography of Author: Often called "Africa in miniature," there are 24 major African language groups in Cameroon, including more than 300 individual languages, and the two official languages of English and French. There is freedom of religion in Cameroon, but radio broadcasts and television airings are limited. Therefore, the most effective method of ministry in Cameroon is a personalized, one-on-one approach, which brings staff and volunteers to the front doors of those to whom they are reaching out.
Though this method is hampered by an infrastructure with often impassable roads, it is effective, especially in the northern portion of the country where the influence of Islam is spreading. Oftentimes, Christians in local areas are presenting the Gospel to their neighbors, which add to a large base of volunteers for LHM. Other ministry activities include visiting people in hospitals and prisons to conduct Bible studies and prayer meeting sessions, Equipping the Saints (ETS) evangelism training, and the distribution of booklets and other printed materials.
In this country of more than 23 million people on the Gulf of Guinea in central West Africa, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Cameroon employs a wide variety of resources to reach the local population with the message of Jesus Christ. Included among these efforts are radio programming, printed materials, film shows, outdoor rallies, internet text messaging, and hospital and prison visits. This ministry center also uses Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and ETS workshops to strengthen the faith of Christians. To reach young women at risk, LHM-Cameroon utilizes an holistic outreach program, where vocational training and the Christian message are studied and shared. Other initiatives are aimed at youth, giving them guidance from a Christian perspective and helping them to make choices to live effectively in a secular world.
Be sure to check out LHM's International Ministries' blog page. You can find it by clicking here.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Hosea 5-8 Romans 15:1-13
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