Made Known

If I a not doing My Father’s work, don’t believe Me. But if I am doing them and you don’t believe Me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father. – (John 10:37-38, HCSB)

If I don’t do what my Father does, then don’t believe what I say. But if I do what my Father does, you should believe in what I do. You might not believe in Me, but you should believe in the things I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father. – (John 10:37-38, ERV)

By all means, do not believe in Me, if I am not doing the things of the Father. But examine My actions, and you will see that My work is the work of the Father. Regardless of whether you believe in Me – believe the miracles. Then you will know that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father. – (John 10:37-38, VOICE)

When the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time were trying to stone Jesus, this was His response. Incredibly, they had all seen and knew of the miracles that Jesus had done and could not argue this truth. As they sought to capture Him, Jesus eluded them, for that time had not yet come. What His example shows us is that if we live out love, Jesus in us will be evident. Our aim ought to be so full of Jesus that people cannot help but see His love in and through us. May we ever seek the Lord so that we are so filled with His goodness and grace that we cannot help but overflow to those around us.

The Lord God with us,

is made evident;

as we love like Him,

the One who was sent.

He showed all goodness,

and living out love;

His words and His deeds,

pointed to above.

He healed the broken,

spoke to the denied;

touched untouchables,

and for all He died.

Death could not hold Him,

the third day He rose;

gave us His Spirit,

so love might be shown.

In all that He did,

and all that He was;

He showed us the way,

to do as He’d done.

May we choose go forth,

do all things in love;

so His heart’s made known,

our Savior above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You came and lived out love so well, that no one could deny the power of God in You and You in Him. Thank You that You showed us the way to live and love like You. Forgive us for every time that we fall short, for we are broken and in need of Your leading every moment of every day. Teach us to trust and follow after You more completely. Show us how to love as You loved. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love, for loving like You testifies the truth of who You are in all things. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

We love because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

Luke 19 – Seeing, Investing, Entering, and Teaching

Luke 19 begins with the story of Zacchaeus, a short tax collector who had climbed a tree in hope of seeing Jesus as He passed through town. Not only did he see Jesus, but Jesus called out to him and told Zacchaeus that He wanted to spend time with him in his home. All the people began to grumble about Jesus keeping company with a sinner. Zacchaeus, recognizing the magnitude of the moment with Jesus, repented and promised to make right his wrongs. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10) While He had the crowd’s attention, Jesus told a parable of a man of noble birth and ten of his servants whom he gave each ten minas to invest. The man was appointed king and returned home to see what the servants had done with the money he had given. The first servant had doubled what he had been given and the king celebrated him and gave him charge over ten cities because he had been trustworthy with what he had been given. The second servant had gained five minas in addition to the ten given. He too was recognized for his sound investing, and was given charge over five cities. The last servant mentioned in the parable is one who buried the ten mina in a piece of cloth. Upon the king’s return he retrieved it and took it to him. He told the king that he was afraid of him and that he “takes out what he did not put in and reaps what he did not sow.” The king berated him and asked him why he did not at least put the money on deposit to earn interest. He then took the mina from the fearful servant and gave it to the one who had doubled his money. After that, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem. Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead to collect a colt that had never been ridden to bring to Him. The two found a colt just as Jesus had told them. They placed their cloaks on the colt and Jesus rode on the colt through Jerusalem. The whole crowd of disciples who had gathered began praising God for all that they had seen. There were Pharisees in the crowd that told Jesus to rebuke His disciples. “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (verse 40) As Jesus neared Jerusalem He wept over the city for all that would come. After the procession, Jesus entered the temple courts and cleared out those who were selling, and He said to them, “My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.” (verse 46) Each day He continued teaching at the temple. The chief priests, teachers of the law and the leaders were looking for a way to kill Him, but were unable to find a way because everyone listened intently to all that Jesus had to say.

The Lord always sees,

those who feel unseen;

He knows them by name,

in love, intervenes.

Those willing to hear,

are forever changed;

His love overwhelms,

it can’t be contained.

By grace, He trusts us,

to choose do His will;

He grants us wisdom,

to follow, fulfill.

When the time came near,

He entered the town;

celebrated King,

by those who were found.

Then to the temple,

He cleared what was wrong;

and kept on teaching,

all those who belonged.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to save us and to show us how we ought to live. Forgive us for every word, thought, and deed that does not align with Your will. Teach us to walk in Your way and love as You love. Lead us to make Your love tangible to those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You love, and seek You to lead us to do likewise. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” – Matthew 21:9

Luke 14 – Healing, Humility, and Considering Costs

Luke 14 begins with Jesus joining a group of Pharisees to share a meal on the Sabbath. There was a man suffering from an unusual condition and Jesus asked the Pharisees if it was legal to heal on the Sabbath. The group stayed silent and Jesus healed the man and sent him on his way. Jesus then pointed out to the Pharisees work that any of them would do on the Sabbath if it was needed. An observation that Jesus made about the group at the luncheon was that the guests picked the places of honor at the table. His response was to speak on selecting a low place at the table so that the host will invite you to move to a better seat, rather than need to ask someone at a higher seat to move down. Jesus then said, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) He then went on to talk about inviting those who could not return the invite, for such will receive their reward at the resurrection. Next, Jesus tells a parable of a great banquet. The man preparing the banquet sent his servant to go out and gather those who had been invited. Those invited made excuses as to why they could not come. In his anger, the owner of the house told his servant to go out and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. With still more room for guests, the owner of the house had the servant go out to the countryside to invite still more to join. The parable concluded with, “I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” (verse 24) Jesus then spoke to the crowd about weighing the cost of being a disciple. He utilized a few different analogies to help the crowd recognize the importance of considering the commitment and cost required to follow Him.

To follow Jesus,

there’s costs and rewards;

the price is our trust,

where grace is outpoured.

To truly follow,

we must set aside;

our own agendas,

by His, choose abide.

Called to be humble,

extend dignity;

choose give not to get,

setting others free.

Dear Heavenly Father, than You for sending Your Son to show us the way to follow after You. Thank You Jesus for modeling how we ought to live. Forgive us for the times that we have lacked humility or have not considered the costs of our actions. Teach us to trust and follow after You in all things and at all times. Lead us to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your goodness and grace, and trust You to lead us in the ways we are meant to go. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” – Matthew 20:16

A Solid Foundation

Luke 6 opens with things that Jesus did that the Pharisees claimed were unlawful, but Jesus refuted their opposition with truth. When Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath, the Pharisees began to scheme about what they might do to Jesus. The next segment in Chapter 6 tells of Jesus calling His disciples and names the twelve who were designated apostles. With the twelve, Jesus went down and stood on a level place with a large crowd around them and He spoke of blessings and woes. As He continued, Jesus taught about loving everyone, including our enemies. “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) Next, Jesus directly told the crowd not to judge others and then told a parable that explains the same. He then teaches that good things come from good stored up. Verse 45 says, “A good man brings good things out of good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Jesus ends his teaching with an illustration of wise and foolish builders that he unpacks to help the hearers understand the importance of a solid foundation.

Jesus as teacher,

along with much more;

He lived what He taught,

He healed and restored.

Jesus called the twelve,

and showed them the way;

living example,

to live, love, and pray.

He taught to the crowds,

and healed one-by-one;

to not judge others,

love everyone.

To take in good things,

so good is what’s stored;

for that from the heart,

can help and restore.

Let our foundation,

be built on You, Lord;

on Him we will stand,

where grace is outpoured.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us how to live, love and follow after You. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved or judged others, rather than looking at our own sin. Teach us to seek You to show us what is good and what is not, and help us to listen and obey. Show us how to love those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and study Your word so that we may live out our days as You intended. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who build his house on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24

The Calling of the Disciples

Luke 5 begins with Jesus on the lakeshore with people crowding around Him to hear Him speak. Jesus got into Simon’s boat and asked to go out a little past the shore. From the boat, Jesus taught the people. After Jesus had finished, He told Simon to put out his nets into deep water. Simon let Jesus know that they had fished all night and caught nothing, but because Jesus told him to, he did. Simon Peter’s nets were so full that they began to break. His partners in the other boat had to come help collect all that had been caught. Both boats were so full that they began to sink. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” – (Luke 5:10b) That experience so impacted the men that Simon, James and John left everything to follow Jesus. From there, Jesus heals a man with leprosy and forgives a paralyzed man who was lowered down through the roof of where Jesus was teaching to make sure that he was seen. Next, Jesus called to Levi, a tax collector, to come and follow Him. Levi held a great banquet for Jesus, his disciples, and a large crowd of tax collectors. When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the company He was keeping, Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” – (Luke 5:31-32) The chapter closes with Jesus telling parables about fasting, bridegrooms, patches and wineskins.

Imagine One comes,

right here, where we’re at;

invite to follow,

and we leave, like that.

All that they had known,

they left it behind;

to follow Jesus,

discover their why.

Witness miracles,

through simply a word;

a touch, forgiveness,

the truth being heard.

The inner circle,

who walked beside Him;

He taught, instructed,

allowed these ones in.

He showed them the way,

to live and love well;

to heal and make whole,

His goodness did tell.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word, for it provides insight into the life You led and how You invited others to join You in Your ministry. Thank You that the invitation did not expire some two-thousand years ago, but rather it is an invitation for all throughout all time. Forgive us for the times that we have refused to go where You were calling, or to do what You were asking. Teach us to trust You like the disciples did, for they worried not about where they would go or what they would do as long as they were with You. Show us how to love like You, so that many will come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to lead us and follow where You are calling. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“Come, follow Me.” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. – Mark 4:19-20

Kindness Over Customary

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – (Matthew 9:13, NIV)

“You need to go and learn what this Scripture means: ‘I don’t want animal sacrifices; I want you to show kindness to people.’ I did not come to invite good people. I came to invite sinners.” – (Matthew 9:13, ERV)

“Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” – (Matthew 9:13, MSG)

This passage is Jesus’ response to the Pharisees after they questioned Him about His dining with Matthew, the tax collector and the fellow “sinners” that had been invited. In their pseudo piety, they saw the tax collectors and sinners as those who were beneath them and unworthy of the teacher’s time. Jesus, in His wisdom, pointed out that it is the sick who need medical attention; in the same way, sinners need salvation. The Pharisees were already well versed in scriptures and the laws, yet they saw following them as routine and religion, not as love, grace, mercy and sacrifice. Their priorities were all out of place. Time with Jesus was not meant to be an exclusive club or gathering, but rather He prioritized His time for those who were hungry to know more. We are no different today. Often, we get caught in the trap of thinking that if we do enough, or study enough, or pray enough in the four walls of our sanctuaries, we will have somehow arrived. The reality is that we are all called to do as Jesus did. We are charged with going forth in love. This means actively loving those around us; reaching out to those who need hope and help. It looks different for each of us, but the common threads are love, mercy, grace, goodness and kindness. Though we cannot make a difference for everyone, we can have a positive impact on the people whom we encounter;one person at a time. Sometimes it is as simple as a smile or an encouraging word, whereas other times there may be more action required. God is faithful to meet us and show us how to love each person we encounter with His heart. It is up to us to seek Him and trust Him to lead and guide us in the ways that He has for us to love. May we ever seek the Lord to equip us to go forth and love well, in the same way that Jesus chose to reach out, include, serve, honor and love.

For sinners He came,

To seek and to save;

Jesus led with love,

As we should today.

Love is inclusive,

It seeks to meet needs;

Love chooses reach out,

The hungry it feeds.

Sick and the hurting,

Those who’ve lost their way;

Are those Jesus loved,

And pursued each day.

He willingly left,

The flock for the one;

To lovingly lead,

Those who’d come undone.

For it’s through Jesus,

We each come to find;

A loving Savior,

Who has us in mind.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to be merciful and kind. Thank You that You first loved us, though we were sinners. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to reach out in love, or think somehow that we are good in our comfortable safety circle. Teach us to reach out beyond our four walls to love all those we meet. Show us how to love the lost and the broken in ways that point their hearts to the truth of Your love and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in love, with all people at all times. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

The Second Day at the Tomb

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So, they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. – (Matthew 27:62-66, NIV)

That day was the day called Preparation Day. The next day, the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember that while that liar was still alive He said, ‘I will rise from death in three days.’ So give the order for the tomb to be guarded well for three days. His followers might come and try to steal the body. Then they could tell everyone that He has risen from death. That lie will be even worse than what they said about Him before.” Pilate said, “Take some soldiers and go guard the tomb the best way you know.” So they all went to the tomb and made it safe from thieves. They did this by sealing the stone in the entrance and putting soldiers there to guard it. – (Matthew 27:62-66, ERV)

 

The somber silence of Saturday, was really not so silent at all. Behind the scenes, those who had accused, tried and crucified Jesus, were now scrambling to make certain that what He had foretold, would not in any way, appear to be the truth. It is almost comical to imagine the Pharisees, chief priests and Pilate as they have their troubled exchanges, as all the while, the disciples are grieving their loss. Stealing the body was likely the furthest thing from their mind. Mary and Martha were waiting to attend to His body, to further treat it properly for burial, but taking His body from the tomb… Eww… What I love most of all about this short passage of scripture, is that Jesus’ accusers took such care to be certain the tomb was guarded and secure from the outside, yet could not control the miracle that was taking place on the inside. Can you imagine the shock and awe that was to come for the soldiers sent to guard the tomb? Soldiers who were to be wary of those who would come near the tomb, would suddenly find themselves face to face with an angel of the Lord, and then the risen Christ himself, less than twenty-four hours later. Jesus was not a liar nor a deceiver. He is the truth, the way and the life. All who choose come to Him, may know love and life everlasting in Him. Though Saturday was somewhat silent, Sunday was on its way!

 

The day in between,

His death and new life;

Silence in waiting,

After sacrifice.

Scrambling soldiers,

Sent to take up guard;

They sealed Jesus’ tomb,

All passage was barred.

Pharisees fearful,

Of what Jesus said;

That after three days,

He’d no more be dead.

No sealing nor guards,

Could ever prevent;

Miracle coming,

Sunday’s big event!

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us Your goodness, grace and power. Thank You that You demonstrated Your incredible love for us as You willingly went to the cross and died the death that should have been ours, so that we could be forgiven and know life in You. Thank You that the grave was not the end. Thank You that hope rises, and that Sunday is coming for all. Forgive us for allowing our sorrows and grief to feel hopeless and helpless in the tomb of our heart. Thank You that You do Your miraculous work from within, so how things appear do not matter in order for You to move. Show us how to love in ways that offer hope in the same way that You do for us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the hope that is ready to rise, each day, because of the third day at the tomb. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24

Clean the Inside of the Cup

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean.” – (Matthew 23:25-26, NIV)

“It will be bad for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You wash clean the outside of your cups and dishes. But inside they are full of what you got by cheating others and pleasing yourselves. Pharisees, you are blind! First make the inside of the cup clean and good. Then the outside of the cup will also be clean.” – (Matthew 23:25-26, ERV)

“You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You burnish the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something.” – (Matthew 23:25-26, MSG)

 

On the Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus began His day, departing Bethany with the disciples. As they were leaving, they passed by the fig tree He had cursed, only to discover it had completely withered. That point of passage began a day filled with teaching, as Jesus started with a lesson on faith. He further taught several parables and answered important questions as people gathered in the temple to hear. The Pharisees, up to their usual attempt at trapping Jesus in some sort of misstep for which they could arrest Him, began a barrage of questions as well. After Jesus brilliantly answered, and completely silenced the scholars with His wisdom, He began a list of woes to them for the practices that they were participating in. One that stood out to me as particularly poignant, and one to ponder personally, is that which is found in the above listed verses from Matthew 23. What does it mean to clean the outside of the cup, but neglect cleaning the inside? To me, it seems He was using the image as an illustration of the heart versus how things appear. We must attend to the motives, desires and purposes within us to be considered clean. For if we seek the Lord and allow Him room to purify our hearts and cleanse us from within, the outside reflects the beauty on the inside. It does not work in reverse. I imagine we have all met or known someone who at first, appeared quite appealing. However, once the heart was made known, the ugly insides tainted the perspective on the outside. Jesus cares about the condition of our heart. Yes, wash your hands, for at least twenty seconds please, but really, it is what flows out of us that impacts those around us, not the package that holds our hearts. My take away today is to seek the Lord and ask Him to show me what filth within me still needs cleansing. We all have spots that get missed, or manage to lie hidden out of plain sight. Jesus is gentle and kind when we choose to seek Him with the hope of being cleansed to more clearly reflect His heart to the world. Lord, cleanse us from the inside out, so that Your love may be made abundantly clear, and no good thing withheld from those in need.

 

Lord, come and show us,

Where we need be cleansed;

Point out the places,

Help us make amends.

Places we’re selfish,

Greedy or unkind;

Over-indulgent,

Show us what You find.

By Your loving grace,

Show us how to change;

Be cleansed from within,

So Your love may reign.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show us the way to be cleansed from the inside out. Thank You that not only did You clean the temple, but You are willing to clean the hollows of our heart. Forgive us for the times that we have worried more about “appearances” than being cleansed on the inside. Teach us to fix our eyes and heart on You and what You ask of us. Show us how to love selflessly, without greed, gluttony or reservation. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us the ways to wash ourselves within, so that we may shine bright, reflecting Your love to all whom we encounter. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. – Psalm 51:1-2

 

 

A Silent Saturday

Pilate was surprised to hear that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. – (Mark 15:44-46, NIV)

 

After the devastation of the cross, a faithful few prepared Jesus’ body and buried Him in a tomb. By sun up, it would be the Sabbath, and no one would be going anywhere or doing anything. The disciples and other followers of Jesus likely spent the day in mourning. Meanwhile, the chief priests and the Pharisees were not at all at ease. They went to Pilate because they recalled the words of Jesus, and clearly had concerns about what might transpire in the coming days.

 

“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So, give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” – (Matthew 27:63-64, NIV)

 

Consequently, Pilate ordered his guards to make the tomb secure and to stand guard at the tomb. That Saturday, all seemed to be silent. Jewish law kept mourners from moving about and doing much of anything, and I imagine that each of the faithful followers of Jesus retreated to their own homes and pondered all that had transpired in the previous twenty-four hours. It is as if the world stopped spinning, and all were stuck in a silent space of grief and disbelief. For me, knowing the whole story, I am in a space between awe and agony at the weight of all that Jesus bore on my behalf, and the anticipation of celebration, knowing that He conquered death and rose again the very next day.  Today is a space of waiting. Silent reflection and appreciation are what flood my heart and mind. I mourn my own sinfulness, yet overflow with gratitude for the salvation that is granted because He bore it all for me. May we each find our own quiet moments to reflect on the magnitude of what our Maker did for us all as we stay in this space of sacred silence.

 

This day of waiting,

Sabbath long ago;

The Savior, buried,

Seemed hope’s final blow.

The world lay silent,

The Savior was dead;

Where were they to go,

What could have been said?

Silent reflection,

Such grief on that day;

What could have been done,

Unrealized grace.

O painful waiting,

To go to the tomb;

Observe in anguish,

Savior’s seeming doom.

The stillness gave way,

For we know the end;

Death could not hold Him,

As He rose again.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your one and only Son to make the way for us to be restored unto You. Thank You Jesus, for bearing the weight of all of our sin upon Yourself; for we are the ones deserving sanctions of suffering, not You. Forgive us for not fully embracing the weight of what You have done for us, or for questioning whether or not Your sacrifice truly covered it all. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would receive the mercy and grace provided at the cross, and demonstrate our gratitude by living a life that ever seeks Your will. Show us how to love those around us in a way that makes the promise that joy comes in the morning no matter how dark the night appears, evident. May many come to embrace the grace that You made possible through Your death and resurrection on this holy weekend so long ago. Be glorified O God, as we set our hearts in silent reflection over all that You did to make us acceptable in Your sight. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. – John 16:22

Set Down Our Stones

“Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – (John 8:7b, NIV)

“Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.” – (John 8:7b, CEB)

“Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has not sinned.” – (John 8:7b, VOICE)

 

This particular story recorded in the book of John, is one of the amazing goodness and grace of Jesus. A woman who was caught in sin was brought before Jesus by the Pharisees, as they hoped to trap Jesus and condemn the woman. When Jesus spoke these words to those who accused her, one by one, they dropped their rocks and walked away. Each one knew that they too had sinned and did not qualify as sinless to hurl stones. I imagine we all have certain offenses against us that make our blood boil, however, when we slow down, breathe and reflect, we have to recognize that we are also offenders of others, even if it is without intent to harm. Sometimes it is the words that escape our mouths, other times it is our actions, or often even worse, our inactions, that are among our own sins. It is critical that we deal with our own sin, rather than try to manage that of another. Granted, there are roles that we are called to fill where it is our job to help others navigate a life of obedience, but even then, it is not by throwing stones that we correct, but rather through conversation, consequence and redirection. May we look to the example of Jesus when the offenses of others are brought before us, for not one of us is free from sin.

 

The stones in our hands, 

We must choose set down;

As we all have sinned,

We’ve made our own mound.

A mountain of rocks,

Where our own sins lie;

Each one forgiven,

Love never denied.

Let us do likewise,

Forgive each other;

Demonstrate God’s grace,

To one another.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us incredible examples of Your forgiveness and grace, though they are not deserved. Thank You that we all are in need of mercy and grace, as not one of us is without sin. Forgive us for holding stones in our hands, ready to throw, rather than slowing down to look at our own lives and recognize that we too have reason to receive retribution for our own offenses. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would set down our stones and seek Your strength and grace to extend to those around us. Show us how to love others with the same mercy, grace and goodness that You extend to us in our own spaces of need. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we set our stones in Your hands, and receive the goodness that You give in their place to extend to those around us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6