Today’s scripture: John 8:1-11 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Lynnette Pullen):
What happens when I feel a bit disconnected from God? I have my daily prayer and read my daily word, but can still feel disconnected. I typically don’t worry because these things happen sometimes, and I usually find my way back into intimacy with God before long. But, it can be discouraging when it is prolonged.
When I received this assignment for this devotional and began reading. I started out to write about what it meant to me, but,I got a little stuck. I closed the bible and asked “What do You want me to hear from this?” I cracked the bible open and tried again. The phrase “But, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives” stood out like a flashing light to me. In the previous chapter, Jesus had just been challenged by the Pharisees and others about whether or not he was the Messiah. Many doubted he was the Messiah and disputed his claim. After the ordeal, everyone went home. “But, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.”
The Mount of Olives is a large mountain with three peaks from north to south. It was named for the large groves of olive trees that grew there. Olives were important and used for three main purposes in biblical days: food, oil, and cleansing. The oil was used for lampsand anointing. Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives to pray and talk with God. I can’t help but notice the significance of everything — the three peaks, the olives, the mountain. When Jesus was leaving one trial and heading into the next, He made sure to go to God in a sacred place, away from the drama and worldly things.
I believe that God wants us to go to a sacred and private place on a regular basis to pray and talk. Jesus was providing an example of how often and where we are to pray. Of course, we can pray anywhere because God is always listening. But I believe we need privacy and peace to be able to hear God’s response sometimes.
When I’m able to hear God, the Word is like the olives. It provides nourishment for my spirit, I am anointed in even the most mundane of my daily tasks and my thoughts are cleansed and focused. I think it’s time I find my Mount of Olives, a place where I can go to be with God, hear God, and be fed on a regular basis.
Jesus went on to be challenged again. The Pharisees presented a woman caught in adultery and tried to trick Jesus in order to accuse him. I love his response.
First, he ignored them. I think he had incredible self control and wisdom because he sought God so frequently. He then went on to handle the situation with compassion and integrity. He challenged them to examine their own sin and if found clean by their own laws, cast the first stone. After their own self assessment, none found themselves worthy to cast judgment. Lastly, there was an act of forgiveness from Jesus: “Go and sin no more.”
Thought for the day: Lord, help me to find my “Mount of Olives” so I can be more intimate with you on a regular basis. Help me to hear from you often so that when the evil in this world tries to trap me, or I am challenged about who I am and what I am capable of, I will respond with wisdom, integrity, compassion, self-control, and forgiveness.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.