Apr 23, 2011
Marks of the Covenant
Posted by Michael Howarth in Theology | Comments (0)
*There is an account in John’s Gospel of a woman who is caught in sin. This woman is discovered in the act of adultery, a sin punishable by death. She is dragged through the dirt streets of Jerusalem, her shame exposed, her guilt on parade. Is she clothed? Probably, but she may as well be naked. Her shameful act has been seen first hand, and she has no defense. She is hauled to Jesus in disgrace. She is placed at His feet for justice.
We are this woman.
Each of us has been found in the midst of our shame and disobedience; whether it be lust, selfishness, hatred, or the ingrained prideful attitude that causes each of us to proclaim: “I answer to no one but myself”. We have no defense. We are cast violently and justifiably down at the feet of the Lord of all creation.
There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
Psalm 36:12
There we lay, no help to ourselves, no advocate by our side, in shame. Helpless. Our punishment should be swift.
Instead, incredibly, our accusers are sent away. When we look up and see our Judge’s feet, they are not perfect and whole, as one would expect a holy and flawless being's feet to be. They are scarred. Instead of pronouncing a sentence, His hands also come into view. As they lift us, we see that they too are marred and imperfect.
This is Jesus Christ. He covers our shame. He lifts us in grace. In His mercy, He proclaims us justified. Not by word alone, but by word and action. His cross, in all its blood and violence, is God’s proclamation; He has judged our sin and extended His wounded hands in mercy to lift us out of our dirt and humiliation.
Christ’s hands and feet are eternally marked with the wounds of our punishment, for they are also the wounds of our justification, emblems of a covenant that will not perish.
He still has these scars. He has chosen to keep them.
*John 8:1-11
Posted by Michael Howarth in Theology
