Well hello friends,
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks.
Today we continue to reflect on the I Am statements of Jesus,
And today continue in our week reflecting on Jesus' words,
I Am the light of the world.
And today we also flow on from yesterday's reflection,
The story of Jesus meeting the woman who was dragged by accusers in front of him,
Being caught in the act of adultery.
And while yesterday we focused on those who were accusing,
Today we spend some time reflecting on Jesus' response to the woman,
And how the light of Christ doesn't just expose,
But also redeems.
And so I invite you to take with me a deep breath in,
Slowly let it out,
Again breathe in and release,
Let yourself settle into stillness.
Whatever weight you may be carrying,
Just set it aside for a moment,
Let this space now be a space of rest.
Now picture with me the scene in John 8.
The woman stands alone in the temple courtyard.
Moments ago she was dragged here by men filled with righteous fury,
Her sin was exposed,
Her shame laid bare before the crowd.
She had no defence,
No place to hide,
But then Jesus spoke,
Let any among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.
Silence fell over the angry crowd and then,
One by one,
The accusers walked away,
Leaving behind nothing but scattered stones in the dust.
And now only two people remain,
The woman and Jesus.
Jesus looks at this woman,
Not with condemnation,
But with compassion.
He says to her,
Woman where are they?
Has no one condemned you?
She lifts her eyes,
Looks around and doesn't see another person but Jesus.
She responds,
No one Lord.
Then Jesus speaks words to her that change everything,
Neither do I condemn you,
Go and sin no more.
Just for a moment,
Imagine standing in her place.
Think of a time when you felt exposed,
Vulnerable,
Ashamed even,
A moment when you feared judgement,
Perhaps even from yourself.
Hear Jesus speaking to you now,
Neither do I condemn you.
Allow those words to settle in your heart,
Neither do I condemn you.
Jesus sees you fully,
Your struggles,
Your past,
Your wounds,
Every action,
Every thought,
Every intent and still Jesus chooses grace.
Now in your mind's eye,
Imagine Jesus stepping closer.
He lifts your face,
Looking into your eyes with tenderness,
No shame,
No rejection,
Only love.
He calls you by name,
He speaks forgiveness over you,
Not because you've earned it but because this is who Jesus is.
Jesus is mercy itself,
Jesus is love incarnate and then He invites you forward,
Go and sin no more.
But listen carefully to the tone of His words,
This is not a demand,
This is an invitation,
An invitation to walk in freedom,
Go and sin no more.
Go and live no longer defined by your past but live defined by love.
What would it look like to step into that freedom,
To live knowing that you are fully loved and fully forgiven?
What would it feel like to finally let go of shame?
Let that question rest in your heart for a moment.
As we pray together,
Jesus,
You meet us in our brokenness,
Not with condemnation but with love.
You see us as we are,
You call us into something greater.
Give us the courage to let go of shame,
To trust in your mercy,
To walk forward fully redeemed.
May our lives reflect the light of your grace so that others may know the same love that sets us free.
Amen.
The question isn't,
What would it feel like to be able to finally let go of shame?
The question is,
When will we be ready to accept that we need not hold that shame anymore and that the mercy and love of Jesus meets us and redeems us right where we are.
Take a deep breath in,
Slowly exhale and as you move forward from this moment,
May you walk in the confidence of being fully known,
But also at the same time as being fully known,
You are fully loved and fully forgiven.
And may you walk in that grace,
Peace and love today and every day.
Amen.
Until tomorrow,
My friends,
Peace be with you.
