LEFTOVERS
Are They Being Wasted?
~ He is the God Who salvages all things and allows nothing to go to waste ~
January 2nd, 2023
a Stone’s Throw
John 8:3-11, ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”Again, He stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (NIV)
Where are your accusers now?
Can you imagine standing naked and ashamed before a crowd of people, blamed for an adulterous act of which you have been caught in the midst? Imagine that one of those you stand before is Jesus. I can think of anything on earth that I would rather do than this scenario.
The truth is, however, this actually occurs more often than you think. Not literally, but figuratively. We all, at one time or another, have been found guilty and ashamed and exposed, and because misery loves company, there will always be a crowd of onlookers and naysayers and judgie-judys. There are more forms of adultery than one cares to admit—it is not only about a liaison with another party who is in a marital state. We step out on trust and carry on affairs of the heart with more than just our spouses or significant others. In fact, we cheat on those we are committed to with things like work and alcohol and pornography. There are many forms of love affairs we encounter frequently, but they come disguised so it’s easy to judge someone else and not once admit our own infidelity. When we have nothing but leftovers to leave for the person or people we particularly are dedicated to, could it be possible our involvement with someone or something else is considered adulterous?
Every day, we stand bare and uncovered before Jesus, the only one true Judge. He sees all our shattered messiness and loves us anyway. He sees the leftovers we toss carelessly away or throw on top of others. He grieves for what we waste. In fact, the world will pick up stones to throw, will conjure up insults and lies to tear others apart, will beat us broken as a constant reminder of our failure. But Jesus bends over and scribbles something—maybe my name?—in the dirt, wipes it away and then sets me free. Nothing ever is wasted with Jesus. He is a good, good God!
John 6:12-13, ‘When the people had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather the LEFTOVERS so nothing is wasted.” They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with LEFTOVERS from the barley loaves.’ (MSG)
