Key Verse: John 8:32
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Truth and Freedom…these words stand out in our reading. The accusers of the woman taken in adultery were faced with “TRUTH!” The result was “FREEDOM,” not only for the woman, but also for the men. She was free from death and was not condemned by Jesus. They were free to admit their sin and to be freed from the guilt of hypocrisy. Jesus was the only One who could’ve cast a stone. He is without sin, and He chose not to! What right does He have to change the Law of Moses? The scribes and pharisees quoted Moses’ Law on the matter. Jesus has every right to change Moses’ Law, because, as He stated, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” Jesus, in Himself the “TRUTH,” was the very One who had told Moses from the burning bush that His name was “I AM.” No wonder that the Jewish leaders, as recorded in the last verse of our reading, “took up stones to throw at Him.” He had given to Moses the Laws we’ve read in Leviticus, in order to show the impossibility of anyone living a holy life on their own. He is the One who provides forgiveness for our sins. The most often repeated verse in the Bible is, “His mercy endures forever.” For our worship today, we could read 1 Chronicles 16 and Psalm 136 (for both passages, click here). Turn to these amazing Words in your Bible, as I’ve done.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, “I Am,” I throw myself on Your mercy. I pray with the publican in the Temple, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” Just as You said that this person went to his house “justified,” so am I justified before You, O Holy God. Thank You, Lord, that as I daily abide in YOUR WORD, TRUTH MAKES ME FREE. AMEN!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I am honoured to know Dr. Paul Maier, Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University. He is often called on by the major radio and TV networks for his expertise. He spent every day for a year with me on 100 Huntley Street as we explored the book of Acts. His Dad is Dr. Walter Maier, Founder and former preacher on “The Lutheran Hour: Bringing Christ to the Nations.” I wrote Paul as we read Leviticus. Without explaining the context of my enquiry, let me quote the Doctor concerning the Leviticus’ laws: “Most of these laws regarding ‘abominations’ are inoperative today, as they were in Jesus’ day 2,000 years ago. Rabbinical Courts rarely, if ever, applied them.” I asked Dr. Maier specifically about Moses’ law concerning the practice of homosexuality. I quote, “The practice of homosexuality is in an entirely different category, since it is opposed also in the New Testament and is against natural law.” As I pointed out in the Leviticus commentaries, FORGIVENESS for ALL sin, based on the animal sacrifices which pictured the sacrifice of Jesus, Who is our final and complete Sacrifice for sin, is taught in the operative Word of God (Romans 1:16-32).

Yours for a Holy Spirit taught understanding of TRUTH,

David