Devotion for Today “Getting Hands Dirty” John 8:1-11
Last evening I was in a meeting with a number of people from my church when I started writing with a pencil to take some notes. Before I realized what was happening, my hand and fingers started turning blue. Apparently some jokester had taken a magic marker and painted the entire pencil with blue ink. When I picked it up, it rubbed all over my hands. I was quite embarrassed but then noticed another gentleman sitting at our table who was writing with a pen. The ink exploded and got all over his hands as well. As I got up to wash my hands, I promptly threw the errant writing implement away- not wishing for anyone else to have the same thing happen. Of course, there is no way that incident could have been done discreetly- for it did not escape the notice of everyone at the meeting. The moral of the story- when you get your hands dirty, everybody sees it!
Jesus encountered an even messier situation in John 8 as certain scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Him who had been caught committing adultery. As they sat the woman before Jesus they suggested that the law of Moses commanded that such should be stoned (and in those days, that meant throwing rocks at someone!). Then they demanded that Jesus show where He stood on the matter- tricking Him into a battle of wits and hoping they could accuse Him of something wrong.
“But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.” Verse 6.
Some have suggested that this implied that Jesus was writing out the names of all those who had previously engaged in adulterous relations with the accused woman. I don’t see the text suggesting this however. I see it simply as Jesus was taking a moment to collect His thoughts in response to this accusation of the woman and challenge to His ministry. I also see it as a demonstration of Jesus’ concern and love for mankind to stoop down to the level of our sordid lives and involve Himself in them. His writing in the dirt is symbolic of His willingness to get His own hands dirty with us- something He does not have to do, but something that He did to demonstrate His love and concern for us. Jesus does not distance Himself from us just because our lives become messy. You will note how quickly people distanced themselves from the situation after Jesus challenged the accusers, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.”
Jesus did not condone the sinful actions of this woman. Quite the contrary, He said to her, “Neither do I condemn you: go and sin no more.” (v. 11). But He shows us that in order to give grace and mercy one must be willing to become involved with the intense problems that people have. Our sinfulness is not, if ever, easy to sort out. And when we help others to sort out their messes, we get our hands dirty in the process. That is not to say we must become involved in their sinful actions. But we should not distance ourselves from them. The sinner still needs a friend who will love them, as well as challenge them and not condemn them. Indeed their own hearts have condemned them enough already.
Is there someone around you who is in a messy situation? Be careful how you help, but don’t be ashamed to help them in their situation. Jesus did that for you as well.
Have a blessed day.
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