The son of man – The Finger of God.
Jesus the Son of man during his ministry identified himself saying that ‘he and the Father were one.’ As I understand in this incident at the temple we can see in the manner and actions Jesus reflecting the truth of his words.
“Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.” John 14: 11
“ . . . but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God.” John 5:18.
In the early morning Jesus went to the temple at Jerusalem; all the people came to him, he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman before him, they asked. “Teacher, this woman had been caught in the act of adultery. Now the law of Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?” Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground, then he stood up and said, “Let him without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. Everyone gradually walked away leaving only the woman before him. “Where are your accusers, has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord.” “Neither do I condemn you; go and do not sin again.” John 8: 1-11.
This incident recorded by John, I believe reveals the woman caught in adultery as representing Israel, the wife of God. When we look at the incident on the Exodus journey, while Moses was on the mountain receiving the ten commandments the people committed adultery by turning to worship the golden calf. Exodus 32: 1-6. 34: 14, 15.
Jesus responded saying, “Let him without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her?” The people were convicted of their sin and walked away.
Moses heard the noise from the camp and when he saw them worshipping the golden calf, he threw down the stone tablets and broke them. Exodus 32: 7-19.
Jesus wrote on the ground with his finger, he did this twice and what he did was significant, he was pointing to God writing the commandments on the two tablets of stone with his finger, the finger of God. This I see as Jesus one with his Father God.
“God gave to Moses, when he had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” Exodus 31: 18.
God’s mercy
Jesus didn’t condemn her, even though she was guilty of adultery being a married woman. He told her to ‘sin no more’.
“I will have mercy, on whom I will have mercy, ”Romans 9: 15 3, 19.
God’s mercy prevailed when Moses pleaded with God, Him being the stronger part of the covenant showed mercy towards Israel after they worshipped the golden calf. Exodus 32: 30-33. 33: 17.
Prayer
Father God, Jesus in your mercy you saved her life and by grace giving her an opportunity to start afresh. Thank you, that you are still doing this today, no sin is too great to be forgiven and I pray that your will be done in someone’s life today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Finger of God
Jesus the finger of God writes his laws on the ground of our heart. Hebrews 10: 16.
God’s mercy has the power to condemn, but through faith in Jesus he redeems us from the sin of Adam and Eve and all our sin that stands between us and our Holy God. Through repentance we die with Christ as he takes our sin upon himself and by God’s grace raises us with Christ, in his resurrection he writes his laws in our heart and we’re seated with him in heavenly place, blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven. Luke 10:27. Hebrews 10: 16.
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.
After we’ve received Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we soon realise there are things in our life that we need to get right with God and as we begin to learn more about the ways of God through our nature being transformed, we feel how God feels about sin.
The power of God acts on the righteous truth through our transformed nature and the commandments written in the heart, we have the power to resist temptation and be set free by the word and Spirit from the powers of darkness that work against the commandments.
“If you love me you will keep my commandments.” John 14: 15. 15: 10.
“If I cast out demons by ‘the finger of God’ then the Kingdom of God had come upon you.” Luke 11:20. Exodus 5: 1. 8: 16-20
We’re not judged by whether we have kept the law a set of rules because the commandments are fulfilled in love, they’re like a stick of Blackpool rock with the words permeating through the whole stick, our mind, will and soul. We become transparent, nothing hidden from our Lord God, honesty and truth at the forefront of how we interact with the Lord and other people.
Prayer
“You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your strength, and with all of your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” Luke 10: 27.
Lord God, fill us with your love and the opportunity to share your love and compassion. Empower us as we walk in the commandments written in our heart, your word acted on by your Holy Spirit. Let your love fulfil the law and bring healing to the bruised heart, cherishing it and making it your own. Your love is fearless and yet love gives in to love. Help us, Jesus to love God and others, as you loved God your Father and all the people, in Jesus’ name. Amen
The Church the virgin Bride of Christ
The woman was not condemned by Jesus for her adultery but was told by Jesus ‘to sin no more.’
When a person comes to faith in Jesus, they become a member of Christ’s body, the church. The sins of the past are wiped out, it’s a fresh start.
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we separate ourselves from allegiance to other religions, which the Bible terms as adultery. This is also reflected in the Christian personal life in having one husband or wife.
New Age religion takes its spirituality from multiple religions and morality is left to the individual.
Jesus endorsed marriage, but I believe that Jesus was not married. The disciples and followers were truthful men and women and they gave no indication that Jesus had a wife.
The son of man Jesus, in his humanity he reflected spiritually the commandments written in the heart, and the church being his virgin bride.
The commandments are for today they are and will always be relevant and essential to the world.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you, for writing your commandments upon our hearts, fulfilled in love. Our journey of life may mean that we can’t continue to share our life with a husband or a wife, or we have to work on Sundays or meet and pray with people from other religions, but you know that in all things about us and our circumstances and your will for us. Jesus you are the centre of our life. Help us, to abide in Jesus’ love and please forgive us when we fail. In our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’s name. Amen