Jump Start # 66

John 8:2-3 “Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court”

  These verses set up a most intense exchange between Jesus and some of the Pharisees. Their controversies and disagreements have moved past theories and arguments to reality. A woman is brought before Jesus. Caught. Guilty. She is embarrassed, scared and being used as a tool to trap Jesus. Some are calling for her life to end and it seems that very few care about what happens to her. Using her to get to Jesus is the plan. What Jesus does is remarkable. What Jesus offers is grace. Jesus shifts the guilt to the Pharisees whose hands were dirty from this wicked plan.

  Often, the opening of this section is rushed through to get to the exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees. But I want us to notice these opening verses. There are several wonderful thoughts found here.

  The scene begins early in the morning. What a contrast that unfolds, Jesus teaching in the temple and this woman committing sin. Have you ever noticed how the beginning of the day has a reflection upon how the day turns out? Some start out tired and cranky, running behind and the day just goes down hill from there. They snap at people. They feel miserable on the inside. They are no fun to be around. I know, I’ve started days like that. Others start the day running. So much to do. Their schedule is full and they have a ton to accomplish that day. Just watching them makes you feel tired. I see folks like that at the airport. Fingers typing rapidly on a laptop, papers spread out on the seat beside them, talking on a Bluetooth and having the appearance that they are running the entire world. Still others start the day rather lost. They have things to do if they feel like it, but they are not sure they want to do it. Skipping school or work doesn’t seem to bother them. They seem to not be sure of who they are, what they are doing, or where they are going.

  It is amazing how some start the day. But notice, Jesus started the day in the temple, teaching. He started the day with God. He started with the word of God. That has a way of getting our order in order and helping our perspective get back in focus. Problems don’t seem so big when we bring God into the picture, and what we think is so important some how just isn’t that important when we look at it from God’s point of view. Starting the day in the temple is a great concept. We hope these little “Jump Starts” help accomplish some of that for you. Read the verse. Let it simmer in your mind. Read the comments. Do a little spiritual inventory and soul searching. Forget about the other guy, how are you doing with things? It’s easy to find folks doing wrong. Some, like the Pharisees, spend a lifetime telling you why others are wrong. But looking within, spending time with God, making sure you are connecting spiritually, now that really makes a difference.

  It’s a matter of how you start the day!

 Roger