Writing On The Ground (John 8:8)

 


Friday, July 25, 2025


Psalms 62; 63

2 Samuel 7

John 8:1-11


Observance: James, apostle and martyr


Writing On The Ground (John 8:8)


And once more [Jesus] bent down and wrote on the ground.


This passage from John’s gospel is, as you have probably noticed, not found in the earliest manuscripts, yet it is so common everywhere else that we have it in our Bible. There is another passage in the same situation: the longer ending of Mark’s gospel. As one commentator said, since the teaching of the passage is consistent with other, more reliable passages, we might as well keep it there.


This general rule, of reading our Bible and searching for consistency across it, is a good one to keep. If something appears more than once then not only can we learn more about it, but whatever we do learn can be more reliable. It is too easy to get distracted with a curious one-off line here or there, and lose sight of what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us.


When the woman was caught in adultery and brought to Jesus, he started writing on the ground. Why? And what was he writing? It is seems almost pointless to leave in that little fact. Yet the accusers were doing the same thing: they were so devoted to condemning this woman that they had not understood what would happen by bringing her to Jesus, of all people. Is Jesus the type to condemn readily? Or is he more concerned with forgiveness, and moving on, free from sin? By focusing on the small detail of condemnation, they missed the bigger detail of the Christ, to whom they were speaking.


I wonder how much we are distracted by petty concerns without even realising, when the reality in front of us is much grander, if only we were to realise to whom we have entrusted our souls.


What are the priorities in your life right now? Where might the forgiveness and peace of the Lord Jesus be hiding in plain sight?


Lord of clarity, wisdom and peace: give us eyes to see your presence in our lives, that we may be freed from petty distractions and instead focus on your blessings to us and those around us.

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