“If my daughter were to be caught in adultery, I would be at
her side. I would plead her case. I would beg for her accusers to kill me
rather than her. This woman had no one. She was lonely and alone. Jesus
stopped, he took her side, he advocated for her. In love, grace, forgiveness and
wisdom, He stopped and stood by her. He stood by her to listen, to respect, to
serve, and provide for her what was needed. He talked to her when no one else
would. Where are you standing? Who are you standing beside? Abraham, Paul, and
Samuel were not called because they were great. They were great because God was
standing beside them. Are you interested in God because you want something? If
you never get that something, will you still believe? Love is not sparkly,
exciting, easy, or just about feeling good. Love is a decision. The love of Jesus
is deeper than deep, it changes people."
I was greatly encouraged by this morning’s sermon. The
preacher was a Mongolian missionary sent out by our Mongolian congregation to a
community in the countryside. He knows what it’s like to stand beside people, to
love beyond his own strength. He has seen people changed by Jesus’ love.
Sometimes, just standing next to someone does not feel very
productive. Jesus said to the woman, “Go
and sin no more.” She had sensed His love, His forgiveness, His respect, His advocacy.
Often, I want people to change before I’m willing to stand beside them. I
suspect if stones had been thrown at the woman caught in adultery, Jesus would
have been the one struck. He was willing to take that risk. He stood beside her
when no one else would. Who are you standing beside?
