Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 February 8

“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 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? 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. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst” (John 8:1-9).

  

Today’s Morsel:  Many have speculated what Jesus wrote on the ground when the women caught in adultery was cast before Him.  Scripture doesn’t tell us what He wrote.  Maybe He was just drawing a picture on the ground.  Maybe He was just drawing a heart with an arrow through it expressing His love for the people.  But after He was pressed upon continuously by the men to give them an answer as to what they should do to the woman, He stood and said to them, ye without sin cast the first stone.  What a verdict of conviction. In other words, Jesus was saying, check yourself before you render a verdict because you reap what you sow.  This was also a verdict of Mercy and Grace.  In other words, the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them (Luke 9:56).  Don’t ask Jesus to destroy someone when He came to save them.  And that even includes your enemies. Always make sure you are not guilty of the verdict you render.

Sing:  I know it was the blood.  I know it was the blood.  I know it was the blood saved me.  One day when I was lost, Jesus died on the cross, I know it was the blood saved me.

Thought For Today:  Make sure you are not guilty of the verdict you render (Parker)