Day 293

Galilean Ministry cont.
14. Visit to Jerusalem
- Jesus to the Feast of Tabernacles
    *Rejects advice of unbelieving brethren - John 7:1-9
    *Goes privately to Jerusalem - John 7:10
    *Anticipation about Messiahship - John 7:11-53
- The woman taken in adultery - John 8:1-11
- Discourse
    *Light of the world (D-9) - John 8:12-30
    *Spiritual freedom (D-10) - John 8:31-38
    *Sons of Abraham - John 8:39-59


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The word doctrine caught my eye in John 7, verses 16 and 17.  E-sword to assist.


doctrine - G1322 - From G1321; instruction (the act or the matter): - doctrine, hath been taught.
     G1321 - A prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb δάω daō (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application): - teach.


Hmmmm....the phrase doctrine of election, doctrine of 'fill in the blank' is routinely bandied about in reformed circles.  Soooo, if I have perceived the word doctrine correctly, to use the phrase 'doctrine of election' would mean to teach one about God's electing grace.


Jesus' doctrine was not HIS own, it was of GOD that sent HIM.  To teach GOD's will.  Are we as focused in our desire in knowing and learning to do the will of our Father?


Interesting...I am loving this year of reading through the Bible.  Either while reading or typing in information I come across something and get to dig a bit deeper.  While I realize I need to be careful in my presentation of my findings...I am enjoying it immensely.


The woman caught in adultery - I have to admit that as a woman the behavior of the men (notice they are not 'gentle' men - hurmpf) - annoys me.


'She was CAUGHT in the very act' - which would imply there had to be another participant.  According to the law both transgressors were to be stoned.  I have always wondered if the man was in the crowd condemning her.  Whoever he was, he was not the subject of the groups outrage and hoped for judgment.


I take heart in the many instances of how Jesus treats women - he gently corrects and/or admonishes.  Always bringing them hope and encouragement in going forward.


'He wrote on the ground' - I like Gill's commentary on verse 8:


Joh 8:8  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. As before, having said enough to confound them; and yet unwilling to pursue the matter any further, or publicly expose them in any other way; and that they might have an opportunity of withdrawing themselves without any further notice of his, he took this method.


Those foxes couldn't snare him...another attempt to catch him either breaking the Roman law or the Mosaic law.  Lord, help us when we are caught in situations where the world wants to 'snare' us and cause us to compromise, to be as diligent as our brother in giving an answer which glorifies You.


The ultimate in forgiveness: '...Woman, where are those thine accusers?  hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.'


So saith He to us...go and sin no more.  Lord, help us to recognize and repent of any sin in our lives, to relinquish our desire to hold onto any sin, to replace our thoughts with the Word.