Turning Points: WHEN WE'RE CAUGHT & EXPOSED

Ever watch "To Catch A Predator"? Every time I see this program I have mixed reactions. I'm glad they caught these guys. I'm fearful of how many more of them there are out there. And I'm amazed at how stupid some of these folks are. Especially the ones who have watched "To Catch A Predator" before- and still get stung. Maybe this is evidence of the fact that we think we'll never be the one who gets caught. Whatever the case, the guys on this show had a similar experience to a lady in the scripture- and to me and you too. They got caught and exposed. And had the chance to come to a turning point.

DOING OUR OWN THING
In John 8 we're introduced to a lady who was involved in an inappropriate relationship. Specifically, she was having sex with someone who wasn't her husband. She was committing adultery- even though she probably knew it was wrong. It would have been pretty difficult to live where she did (Jerusalem) amongst the people she did (fiercely religious) and not know that this was a line that shouldn't be crossed. She knew better, but did what she wanted anyway. Just like us. And like us- she probably wasn't planning on getting caught.

CAUGHT & EXPOSED
When this lady lay down with her lover, she couldn't have imagined that an hour later she'd be standing in the temple courtyard, with her secret out for everyone to know. She's naked before the crowd- maybe not physically- but certainly spiritually. Her secrets are on display. And she's steeling herself for the judgment to come

FACING JUDGMENT
The religous leaders who bring this lady to Jesus are looking to judge. They want to judge her. And they want to judge Jesus. However, their foolproof plan backfires. With a little ingenuity, a finger and some sand, Jesus turns the tables. God didn't see fit to tell us exactly what Jesus scrawled in the sand. Whatever the words, they helped the leaders of the mob judge themselves. Maybe the woman on display was guilty of misusing God's gift of sexuality. But these men had used her. They had used the words of God. All in an attempt to condemn Jesus.

A TURNING POINT
This lady doesn't escape judgment for her actions. Not only will she have to face her own conscience, the folks she's wronged, and the rest of her community- but as her accusers leave, she stands before the only one fit to pronounce judgment. Jesus doesn't condemn her. That's not why He has come. Instead, Jesus offers her not only pardon, but a chance to head a new direction in life. Having our indiscretions discovered and broadcast can be painful and humiliating. But being found out can also bring us to a turning point. In our despair we reach towards Jesus for mercy. And like this lady, we can find it.

REFLECT:
Q: Have you ever been caught doing something you knew was wrong? What happened?

Q: Would you agree that most of us "do our own thing" at some point or another? Why? What do we tell ourselves in those moments?

Q: What do you think this story has to teach us about sin? About judgment? Is the point of this story that everyone blows it, so we sin isn't a big deal? Or shouldn't be spoken against?

Q: In your life, which kind of sin is harder for you to deal with: blatant sin (like this woman misusing sexuality) OR subtle sin (like the leaders using this woman and God's words)? Why?

Q: Which is harder for you: to receive God's pardon OR to head in a new direction? Why?