03 Nov 2019 - To Forgive Sins

5:1, 6:1, 7:1 “after this” The Feast of Tabernacles • 7:2: “Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand” • 7:14: “About the middle of the feast” • 7:37: “On the last day of the feast, the great day” Geographically, • 7:1-9 they are located first in Galilee • 7:10 then in Jerusalem • 7:14 in or near the temple • 7:28 Jesus went up into the temple 1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. John 8:1–6a 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. John 8:1–6a 5“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. John 8:1–6a But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:6b–11 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. John 8:6b–11 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” John 8:6b–11 13O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down (in the dust), Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD. Jer 17:13 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” John 8:6b–11 “But maddest of all—to see the world as it is and not as it should be.” Don Quixote T'was battered and scarred and the auctioneer, Thought it scarcely worth his while, To waste much time on the old violin. But he held it up with a smile. "What am I bid, good folk?" he cried, “ and who'll start the bidding for me? A dollar? One dollar. Now two? Two dollars and who'll make it three? "Three dollars once, three dollars, twice; And going, and but no! From the room far back a gray haired man Came forward and picked up the bow. Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings, He played a melody pure and sweet, As sweet as the angels sing. The music ceased and the auctioneer, In a voice that was quiet and low, Said, "Now what am I did for the old violin?” And he held it up with the bow. "A thousand dollars. Two thousand dollars? Two thousand and who'll make it three? Three thousand once; three thousand twice; And going and gone." Said he. The people cheered. But some of them cried, We do not understand. What changed it's worth?" Quick came the reply, "The touch of the master's hand." And many a man with life out of tune And battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd - Much like the old violin. A plate of food, a glass of wine, A career and his family. He's going once, he's going twice, He's going and almost gone. But the Master comes and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand. The worth of a soul and the change that's effected. By the touch of the Master's hand. Only God can take a life that is battered and scarred by sin and by His grace turn it into one that is beautiful and whole again.