Business In the Streets

"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?" (John 8:4-5)

It's interesting to see the instances of Mosaic law one by one get superseded with God's law of love. I would say (if I may) that that was one of Jesus' chief aims--to live the law of love. As I write, I realize it could be argued that everything He did was done out of love. Of course it was. From His inception, or, conception, to His death, "for I do always those things that please Him." (John 8:29b) And as "God is love" (so says 1 John 4:8) the conclusion is drawn. But place yourself in the time of the heading verse. Superimpose the incident onto any average Sunday at church. Hopefully the light of love is thrown about the place and that nothing along those lines is actually taking place. But think about the things in your own life that only Jesus sees. Things that He doesn't condemn you for and that are no one else's business. Is your church equipped to handle the above? What if something like this actually happened on Sunday morning? The "temple" (John 8:2) seemed like a cold place if you ask me. And when church doesn't welcome those who want to lay down a burden, no one is going to darken the door. They might even stop thinking about it altogether.

"So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to His servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14:21-23)

From that, to this: You do know just because you don't attend a church, that it doesn't mean you don't know the Lord and enjoy fellowship with Him? Partaking of His presence means so much more than a scheduled jaunt to a building with a bunch of other people who believe and think along the same lines as do you. Paul writes two important maxims regarding "church". In Hebrews (10:25), he says "not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together". In other words, fellowship with like-minded and hearted brothers and sisters is vital. But again, it doesn't have to happen in a building. Just make sure it's happening. But before even that, you must realize the second: that "ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." (1 Corinthians 3:16)

This is how Jesus did what He did. Taking the presence of the Holy Spirit with Him wherever the Father led and interacting with every type of person. Some He rubbed the wrong way, no doubt. But it would seem it was necessary in their case.

Don't be afraid of what you carry, "because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4b)

A Trail Gone Cold

Partial Deferential