[Jesus told them His disciples:] “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and REPENTANCE FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS WILL BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME TO ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48) [Repentance: metanoia (Greek), is the turning away and forsaking, the divine changing of one’s mind. Forgiveness: aphesis, a dismissal, release, to be pardoned! So, when we turn away and forsake our sins, we will be pardoned or released us from the consequences of sin. Jesus suffered and shed His blood to make this available to us!!!] “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.” (John 8:3-6) [Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground, but He was really “writing” in their hearts, He was revealing their sins to them. Then He said:] “Let any one of you WHO IS WITHOUT SIN be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7) [Of course none of them were without sin so they began to walk away! I’m so glad Jesus knows the hearts of those who would do us harm and He can speak to their hearts!] “Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11) [Jesus will not condemn those who, although they have sinned, will go and sin no more. He will not take advantage of us for our former rebellions, if we will lay down our sins and return to our commitment to follow Him. Jesus’ favour to us is the remission of the sins that are past and this should be a dominant argument with us TO GO AND SIN NO MORE!] “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and HE WILL HAVE MERCY ON THEM, and to our God, for HE WILL FREELY PARDON.” (Isaiah 55:7) [This kind discovery of God’s good-will to the children of men is not to just to the Jew or to the Gentile, to the Old Testament or to the New. No, both the teachings and the promises are here given TO ALL, to everyone that thirsts after righteousness!]
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WHEN WE TURN TO THE LORD, HE WILL HAVE MERCY ON US, FOR HE WILL FREELY PARDON!
Bill Stockham
