Unhooked: Holy in a Hookup WorldНамуна

Day 12: Sanctity

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So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. –Luke 12:7

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Early one morning, Jesus approached a crowd outside the Temple, as written in John 8:4-5.

While He taught, the Pharisees showed up with a woman.

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

The Bible says her accusers wanted to trap Him. They wanted Him to say something they could use against Him. But His response surprised them.

“All right,” Jesus said. “But let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

None of the men cast a stone. Instead, one by one, they wandered away from the crowd.

Then, Jesus asked the woman: “Did even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

His reply probably stunned her.

“Neither do I,” He said.

Christ’s actions that morning communicated something to the woman that the Pharisees’ behavior hadn’t: her value.

The Pharisees used her; Jesus didn’t. The Pharisees broadcast her sin; Jesus forgave it. Her sin determined her value in the Pharisees’ eyes. But in Jesus’ eyes, her mistakes didn’t change her value at all.

Her past did not determine whether He loved her—God’s love for her determined her worth. By virtue of being created in His image, she was sacred, she was valued, no matter what.

Ready for the good news? You are, too!

A loving significant other’s behavior will communicate that to you. How you treat others can communicate their value to them, too.

In order to do that, we can’t use or abuse each other. We have to respect and protect each other. We have to be attentive to each other’s needs.

When we have to end an intimate relationship, we strive to do it lovingly. If we have to confront a significant other, we do it with grace.

Just like for the adulterous woman, God’s love determines everyone’s worth—including yours. And His love for you is boundless.

Pray

Thank You, Lord, for unveiling the truth about me: I am sacred. And so are all the people I meet. Please help me to model my love for others after Your love for us.

Reflect

What does the word sacred mean to you? When have you been most aware of how sacred you are? What can you do (or not do) to communicate to the people you meet or date that they are sacred, too?