THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 430

In the scriptures we read that a group of religious fanatics were intent on stoning a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. They met JESUS and asked for His opinion, asking what He thought should be done. JESUS stooped down and sort of wrote on the ground whilst at the same time saying, "He that is without sin let him throw the first stone."

He carried on writing on the sand. The crowd gradually dispersed starting from the older persons down to the young. JESUS still writing in the sand looked up and saw only the woman standing. JESUS asked the woman, "Where have your accusers gone?" JESUS then says to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go on your way and sin no more." Note that in this example only the woman was singled out and not the man too.

Admittedly, that was a close call for the woman. It was also a close call or time of reckoning for her hypocritical accusers. JESUS, as we know from the passage just happened to be in their pathway.

As we read in PART 429, there are now two occurrences of stoning. The first was Saul or Paul consenting to the stoning of Stephen and now this woman! In the former, Saul walked away after the stoning of Stephen as if he had done God a great service by stoning Stephen. After, Saul continued on his religious fanatical terrorist endeavours hoping to rid the land of all those who opposed his taught religion ways. By so doing, his ambition was to arise to a position of honour amongst his religious elders.

But Saul, while travelling to Damascus was confronted with a bright light. It was a light that was much brighter than a noon day sun. Saul falling to the ground now blinded, cries out, "Who are you Lord?" A voice came forth from the midst of the light saying, "I AM JESUS! Why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you Saul to kick against all these pricks to your conscience." Saul wanted to know what it was that JESUS expected him now to do. JESUS told Saul, "Go into the city and there it shall be told you what you must do."

JESUS left Saul alone to sort out the meaning of these words. Particularly, Saul's response to the following: It is hard for you to kick against the pricks to your conscience - and - Why are you persecuting Me? - and - Who are you Lord? Certainly, the Lord's response - I AM JESUS - would have given Saul lots to contemplate.

Of course, Saul in his mind would already have to confront the voice speaking from a light brighter than the noon day sun and the fact that JESUS knew his name. But now he was blind too having now to be led by others. Further, Saul was left this way for three days and nights. Now praying earnestly, JESUS had walked across Saul’s pathway and as a consequence, Saul was shook up.

Like Saul, we are all born into this world with blank slates. Our parents instill into us the knowledge and attributes that are classified as the norm. These often include the handicap of traditional influences. In this context, Saul was not any different. Saul was raised in the religious teachings and traditions of his fathers. His conscience pricked him but readily he dismissed this as only a negative feeling.

Part of this may be contributed to Saul's desire for religious fame and fortune that he thought must be sought after at all costs. As if Saul’s feet were stuck in cement, but in reality, He was harnessed with religion!

Admittedly, most of us are harnessed by the prevalent traditions, mindsets and systems into which we were born and/or schooled. Still, the question is - Are each of us being true to ourselves? Do we really believe in what we are doing? Are we saying ‘yes’ when we ought to be saying ‘no’? Are we carrying out someone else’s desires to obtain a pay cheque?

Maybe it is time to examine ourselves. The woman was only a hair width away from death, a close encounter, but then JESUS came! Saul got his wake up call!