Save The World, One At A TimeSample

Shaping New Attitudes 

People feel terribly guilty when they are caught red handed, or as the saying goes, with their hand in the cookie jar. But when their condemnable act is made public they feel guilty and humiliated. This is an unforgiving world that feeds off the shame of the weak and vulnerable. The woman caught in the act of adultery found it out very painfully and was almost stoned to death by her accusers.

Jesus sat in the Temple and taught the seekers. The serenity of the moment was disrupted by the demands of that woman’s accusers. They cited the Law of Moses and demanded Jesus to state his position. They were actually trying to trap Jesus as they thought that the Law of Moses and Jesus’ gospel were irreconcilable. But Jesus exposes their own guilt without negating the law and they feel convicted by their own consciences. Ashamed, they leave the woman and place.

How can we be like Jesus? Love and redemptive justice are God’s therapeutic interventions. He loved the guilty, so he gave his life for the penalty of their sins. His justice was redeeming justice. It was not a condemning justice. Now, we don’t have to pay the price for any one’s sins. Through our accepting love (not condemning legalism) we can be like Jesus.

Jesus played four different roles (Christian therapist Dan Allender talks of three) in this situation. As a king would protect his subjects, Jesus protected this woman from the lynch-mob. After all he is the born King of the Jews. Secondly, as an Advocate, he argues her case and turns tables on her accusers. He does so even today before his Father in heaven. Thirdly, like a Priest would intercede on behalf of the people for their sins, Jesus forgave her sin. He is the High Priest who opened the Holy of Holies through the suffering and sacrifice of his life. Lastly, he played the role of a counsellor by exhorting her not to sin again. He is the Wonderful Counsellor.

What are our attitudes when people take the wrong road? Are we quick to accuse or protect them? Do we take their side to give them a chance to taste the true love? Do we forgive those that sin? Remember, our sins were forgiven freely. Do we take time to listen to people, empathize with them and help them to experience the conviction that comes through our love?

The world is thirsting for such an accepting, protecting, forgiving and empathizing love. Such love can be offered only on a one to one basis – person to person.