"Delilah"

Monday devotions @work 28 September 2020
People of Hope Part 21: The woman caught in adultery (John 8) 

Today I post a poem written about the woman caught in adultery who was brought to Jesus by the pharisees while teaching in the temple.  We don't know her real name but in this poem she is named Delilah.  What stood out for me from her story this week is the part where Jesus wrote in the sand.  I can only try to imagine what He wrote - I think it may have been a list of the pharisees' sins.  Discovering that Jesus knew all about them as much as He knew all about this woman must have been a terrifying moment knowing that should they stone her - they may be next since their sins were now public knowledge.  Its wonderful and terrifying at the same time knowing that Jesus knows all about us - and still love us. 

"Delilah"

With great noise and bravado they brought me to Him
“Rabbi” what do You say are we to do with this woman?
Caught red-handed in adultery – this very night!

I stood with head bowed
broken, guilty, too ashamed, to scared to look up
All I expected to see in His eyes was
hatred, judgment, rejection,
For He would have no reason
to show love, compassion, grace or mercy!
He has never sinned
He has never fallen so low as I have!
He would not understand the brokenness of my heart
that brought me to this day!
He has the right to condemn me to death – forever!

I waited for the first stone to fall
Silence.....
The silence made me look up slightly
I saw Him writing in the sand
then our eyes met for a few seconds
I felt the warmth of His love and compassion
wash over me
It washed over my broken sinful heart
It healed the hurt, cleansed the sin
washed my guilt away
In that moment
I knew he understood my brokenness
and He made me whole!

“You who have no sin – throw the first stone” I heard Him say
After some more silence I realised that I was alone with Him,
“Has no one condemned you, my child?” He asked
“No my Lord – no one” - I answered
“Neither do I - go and sin no more...” – He said

I walked away
- forgiven
- loved
- without guilt or shame
Free!
Alive!
and I sinned no more.....

Let us worship with Mac Powell as he sings about How Jesus sees us when He looks at us:

When Love sees you

© Copyrighted by Salomé Lloyd 19/04/2009 (re-posted with permission 27 September 2020)