https://odb.org/2024/02/05/dignity
Although the story of Jesus encountering the woman who was caught in adultery mentioned that it was a trap laid by the teachers of the law and the Pharisees so that they may accuse Him, what constituted the trap was not crystal clear from the story. See John 8:2-11.
The trap was actually a horns of a dilemma situation, where both choices are difficult ones. If Jesus had excused the woman’s sin, He would be seen as having denied the law of Moses and is thus a false teacher. But if He had answered to stone her (as per Moses’s law), He would then be going against Roman law – for only Rome could issue a death sentence. Instead, Jesus chose the third option, which was to ask her accusers who didn’t have sin in their lives to throw the first stone. One by one, everyone walked away, leaving only Jesus, the one and only one without sin. Instead of condemning her, Jesus let her go but asked her to leave her life of sin. He showed her compassion and mercy, a second chance. But it always comes with repentance, a turning away from our sin.
Applying this to our lives, I think we should always try to seek the third option when there appears to be only two. It may not be the obvious ones. Nevertheless, it could be there if we seek out Jesus. There could be another way out of a situation if we have Godly wisdom. The third option is usually tapered with grace and compassion. Instead of my way or the highway, perhaps there is a heavenly way? Perhaps the third option needs more faith and trust in God. For example, instead of choosing between two job offers in this uncertain economic situation, we could wait for a better one? Sometimes, when the climate is not good, we say we will go for the lesser of two evils – but do we really need to? Is there a third option? Could we take the step of faith and start something of our own?
Pray and commit our path unto Jesus and let Him lead us to green pastures and still waters. Even if we need to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil for His staff and rod comfort us. See Psalm 23.
Have a good week ahead, dear friends, even as we prepare ourselves, to those celebrating, for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations and festivities! Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Ronnie's Thoughts 