Devotion for Friday, March 27, 2020

“The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in
adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him,
“Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.” (John
8:3,4)

We love to
catch others sinning as if it were some kind of novelty rather than the rule of
our sinful existence. We love to lift up the sins we do not commit as the ones
that are especially heinous. Then we love to go to the Lord and show that we
are better because we are not that kind of sinner.

Lord, help me see that any and all sin pits me against You
and, in effect, causes me to nail You to the cross once again. Grant that I
would truly see the travesty in every sin and not get caught up in the game of
separating sins. Help me also have compassion, as You have compassion, on
everyone caught up in sin.

Thank You, Lord
Jesus, for responding to every sin by dying on the cross for us. Help me see
that reconciliation is always better than retaliation. Grant that I would live
into a life that is like Yours in every way, reacting in wisdom to situations
as You do, beginning with today. Grant that I live out compassion and mercy
this day in Your Name. Amen.