Redemption
Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
“I have swept away your offences like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist…I have redeemed you.” – Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
John 8:1-11 recounts a well-known incident of a woman caught in the act of adultery. Her crime and prescribed judgment of stoning were put forward to Jesus by her accusers. At that moment, I’m sure that she, being a Jewish woman and understanding Jewish laws, knew she was going to die. The law is clear on the issue. A myriad of emotions must have gripped her at that moment. Shame, fear, even loneliness, after all, it does take two to commit adultery, yet she was alone in her condemnation.
Jesus, in His great wisdom and mercy, made a statement that was transformative then as it still is now, “…He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (KJV). This statement caused the accusers to pause and reflect on their own lives, which allowed all of their own imperfections and failures to be highlighted in their minds. As a result, this adulterous woman was not the only person convicted that day; every bystander was. This includes everyone of us who knows this account two thousand years later. When we hyperfocus on the sins of others, we tend to forget our own, but the Word of God tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Just like this woman, sin places us in a position where we may feel guilt, shame, or even beyond being saved. How fortunate for us, however, that God does not dwell on our sins. Just as Jesus absolved the woman of all charges, He essentially did the same for us at the cross. Isaiah 44:22 says, “I have swept away your offences like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” God is always merciful and patient with us because it is His desire that none should be lost, but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Let us not take His patience for granted. None of us knows the day or the hour our Lord will return. So, while we still have the opportunity, let us make it right with Him. Return to Him today. His arms are stretched wide, waiting to receive us!
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for laying down Your life for us. You redeemed us from hell’s fire. You paid the price that we could not pay. So help us take full advantage of that free gift, release us from every sin that has us bound, and help us return to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 130:7; Galatians 2:20
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 45:10-17; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 17:1-10; Deuteronomy 23; Deuteronomy 24; Deuteronomy 25
