People that build us up are especially important on our life journey. They are interested in us when others may not be. They inspire us when we feel like giving up and listen when we just need someone to talk to. If you have had someone like that in your life, you have been blessed. We are to encourage each other, 1 Thess. 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.[1]
If you have not had an encourager in your life, God Himself is always there. His Word builds us up and inspires us. He is always there when we need someone to pour out our heart to. The Psalms show us how people have poured out their hearts to God through the centuries. There is no greater friend as we walk through life than our Lord Jesus.
In our story of a woman caught in adultery, the Pharisees want to not only destroy the woman, but also Jesus. John 8:1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.[2]
The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. They suspected that He would want to tell the woman that her sins had been forgiven; but that would mean that He would be teaching people to ignore something in the law of Moses. This seemed like a “no-win” situation for Jesus and would give the Pharisees a chance to prosecute Him.
It is important to discern the motive here. John 10:10The thief’s (satan) purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (Jesus) purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [3] These Jewish leaders weren’t about to build anyone up; their intent was to destroy both the woman and Jesus.
Take a moment and place yourself in the story as the woman. You have made a poor decision, you are probably crying and filled with fear of what might happen next. The religious leaders who claim to know God are not merciful but seek to demean, destroy, and kill. You need help but who will come to your aid?
Then Jesus, who is being tested by these same leaders, comes to your aid. Jesus intervened in an unexpected way but in a way that brought you new life.
As followers of Jesus, we, too, are called to build up instead of tear down. When we build up others it gives them hope and strength to move in a positive direction on their spiritual journey. With God’s strength you can be that person who builds up others in the most unexpected circumstances. Pray that the Lord would use you to extend God’s hands of grace.
To hear more about the woman caught in adultery, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-in-my-sin
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.