June 6: Insight Post by Karenna Rowenhorst
Weekly Reading: John 8:1-11
Friday Reflection
Joy in God’s Presence: True joy is found when we dwell in God’s presence.
Friday Verse
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
Friday Questions
How can I find more joy in spending time in God’s presence, especially amidst daily distractions? How can I prioritize dwelling in God’s presence, knowing that true joy and fulfillment come from being close to Him?
Friday Insight Post
by Karenna Rowenhorst
This week we’ve been studying the passage about Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery. At first glance, the idea of joy in God’s presence doesn’t seem very connected to this passage. The Pharisees are intent on tricking Jesus, trying to expose him and discredit his ministry. They are not exactly sure who Jesus is, but they know they don’t like the influence he is gaining. No joy there. We see their fear played out as game of wits to hold on to power and influence.
The woman who is accused of adultery is fearing for her life, as the crowd around her looked on and listened to the exchange between the Pharisees and Jesus. Certainly, no joy there!
And the people who were around Jesus…what were they thinking? What would you think if you were standing there, watching this unfold?
At the end of the passage, when Jesus has diffused the whole situation (and also turned the accusation on its head), he tells the woman he does not condemn her, but for her to turn from sinning. “And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:11 (NLT)
Jesus’s words to her seem like a “yes” and a “no.” As humans, we struggle with this statement. We want clear lines, definite groups. Instead, Jesus enters the mess of humanity and sees us as His beloved creation. He is saying yes to the woman, but no to her sin. The Pharisees were ready to stone her – a brutal, final death sentence. But Jesus, seeing her through the lens of grace, says he does not condemn her. The word used in Greek in this passage is katakrinō, which means “to give judgement against.” This is a final ruling or decision about a person, where a ruler or judge is making a judgement about them based on their actions.
Then Jesus tells her to not to sin (in Greek – amartane), which means “to miss the mark.” Jesus wants her to understand that her behavior was not in line with God’s desire for human beings. But He also wants her to know that He doesn’t see her actions alone as determining her future. This is where the “yes” and the “no” come into focus. Jesus is not condemning her, but He is clearly telling her to stop missing the mark.
The space between our sin and our condemnation is grace. God’s grace offered in Jesus gives us the newness of life, one that is centered on loving God and living in a way that aligns our will with God’s purposes and plans. We know He sees our faults, but He doesn’t condemn us, He wants to transform us.
Joy comes from a deep place of knowing where we belong and knowing we are loved no matter what. Jesus doesn’t condemn us, He gives us grace- undeserved merit–and lets us live and try again–and grow.
This place of truth and freedom reminds me of the song “Holy Spirit” by Kari Jobe. The line that always speaks to me is “Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone.” I think this is the definition of what true joy feels like. When the grip of shame unravels its coils from our heart and lies defeated on the ground at the foot of the cross, we walk with lightness and joy.
Here it is in context:
There’s nothing worth more that will ever come close
No thing can compare, You’re our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I’ve tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone
In your presence, Lord
Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Let’s walk today knowing that the truth of who we are is we are not condemned by God, but rescued.
“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)
Karenna Rowenhorst, MA
Senior Director of Education
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org