Messages for the Easter season begin
Watch the service
“Forgiveness from Jesus” in one of the precious gifts offered to us because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Pastor Kelvin chose to introduce this topic through the story told in John about the woman who was caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). She was in grave danger as the Jewish leaders brought up the relevant statute from the law of Moses with its penalty of stoning. They wanted Jesus to say yes or no. Either way, they thought Jesus would be in trouble. If he affirmed the penalty, he would be party to her death and in trouble with the Romans who alone held the power of capital punishment. If he did not affirm the law, he would be accused of going against Moses.
But Jesus found a third way that trapped his opponents. When he suggested that the one among them who was without sin should cast the first stone, the accusers all silently left, beginning with the oldest. Jesus then offered forgiveness to her and urged her to “go and sin no more.”
Pastor Kelvin pointed out that we too are in dire spiritual circumstances unless Jesus intervenes. Jesus said that unless we believe in him, we would indeed “die in our sins” (John 8:24). But if we give hospitality to him in our hearts and minds, then we too can receive mercy because of what Jesus did on the cross.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
Having been forgiven, we inherit the same challenge to holy living that God gave to the woman. Through prayer and Bible study, we are to “find out what pleases the Lord” (Eph. 5:10) and live that way.