Written Up

Today’s Verse:

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not… And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. ~John 8:6, 8

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Do you know the difference between a write-up and being written up? Have you ever been written up? To be written up means a formal written record is made concerning poor job performance. An employee who is written up may be given an action plan to fix their mistake or make a substantial improvement. In comparison, a write-up is when a review or summary of something is being made for submission for review by a higher authority. This morning, we see a passage of scripture where Jesus is writing up the Pharisees.

We see the DEFIANCE.

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” The scribes and Pharisees concocted a devious plan to entrap the Lord Jesus. They refused to acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God. They wanted to discredit Him and, worse, find Him guilty of breaking their law so that He could be put to death. They set up a woman to be caught in an immoral act. The law specifically stated that someone found guilty of adultery should be stoned to death. I can imagine these Pharisees and scribes standing there with stones in their hands, ready to stone this woman. In bringing her to Jesus, they wanted to see if He would give deference. Their sole agenda was to take Jesus down, and also anyone they could use to accomplish this. When we live with unconfessed sin, we become increasingly defiant to God’s authority.

We see the DISCLOSURE.

“This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” Can you imagine this scene? Jesus appears to be ignoring what these men are asking, stoops down, and starts to write in the sand. Jesus was enforcing the words of Jer. 17:13: “O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.” The Pharisees were being written up on the spot by the Lord Jesus! It could be He was writing this verse of scripture in the sand and writing the names of each religious huckster underneath. They were being publicly confronted about their hypocrisy and sinful lifestyles. Instead of this woman being the focus of attention, these men become the focus. Jesus reveals these men for what they really were.

We see the DOCTRINES.

The incident teaches us several important life-transforming lessons. First, we need to cast the beam out of our eye before we judge others for the mote that is in their eye. Second, there is nothing hidden before the eyes of God. The eyes of the Lord see all things. Third, at the Great White Throne Judgment, every man’s works will be in full disclosure. Every opportunity to be saved will be brought in review and shown to sinner when he rejected Jesus as his Savior. Fourth, every Christian should be cognizant of his accountability to God. Fifth, like the woman who was brought before Jesus, we must be transparent about our sins and not make excuses. Last, even though we might be written up, there is forgiveness with God. The men went away one by one, but not one made confession of his sin. On the other hand, the woman came as she was, hoping for mercy. Jesus gave her forgiveness and a new start.

Being written up is very serious. God’s Word is a mirror, showing us what we really are. However, there is forgiveness and a fresh start with the Lord. Drop the rock in your hand, and trust in the Rock that is higher than you!

Have a transparent God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 4-7

#John #Sin #Review #Judgment #Accountability