DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY January 5, 2024

Turn Your Attention

The believer’s primary focus should be on knowing and loving God, not on merely following rules.

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. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” John 8:3-11

The Gospel of John tells us about a group of Pharisees who want to stone a woman accused of adultery. The men are so focused on the technicalities of the law that they fail to understand why the law exists in the first place—to help human beings know and experience God. If their hearts weren’t so hardened, they might have discovered that the law is fulfilled not by punishing wrongs but by love. “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8 NIV).

When Jesus tells the woman that she is free of condemnation, He does so having sympathized with her every weakness: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16); He has compassion regarding all the trials she’s faced and knows each detail of her background (Psalm 139:1-24). He is a Savior of infinite understanding.

When we redirect our attention from rule-following to God Himself, we discover both His true character and His will for us. And like this woman, we encounter a God full of mercy and grace—one we’re eager to love.

Think about it

  • Today is a good day to focus your attention on God and remember what you love about Him. Read Psalm 139. What stands out to you?

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