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| |  | Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m�agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.�
Do you know someone
who might benefit
from our weekly email?
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Truth and grace,
judgment and mercy...
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Scripture employs numerous dichotomies to express the "mystery" of Jesus: Son of God, Son of Man; the lion and the lamb; the Alpha and Omega; faithful to God, merciful to man; full of truth and grace. The Gospel of John, in a disputed but captivating anecdote, illustrates the rare contrariety of integrity and generosity--of truth and grace--found within Jesus.
Jesus was seated, teaching, in the midst of a crowd in the temple. A group of religious leaders interrupted Jesus and thrust a humiliated, frightened young woman through the crowd and in Jesus' face. Oh to know the pathos exchanged between the eyes of Jesus and the shamed woman. "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her," they declared; then, hoping to incriminate Jesus, they insisted, "What do you say?"
Jesus, having stood up, wordlessly knelt again and used a finger to trace words, images even, in the dust of the ground. What did he write? What did he draw? We can only imagine. Perhaps he drew aimlessly while waiting for the women's accusers to quiet their feigned indignation. Maybe he inscribed a silent prayer petitioning his Father for discernment and wisdom. Possibly he scrawled the names of other young ladies, names of women intimately familiar to these hypocrites, women in a position to make their own accusations against these duplicitous men.
The woman's accusers pressed Jesus to answer their question. He rose to his full height, and responded, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" Once again, Jesus stooped to the ground and continued tracing in the dust. One by one, from the oldest to the youngest, the accusers nervously retreated until only Jesus and the young lady remained in the midst of the crowd.
The requisite witnesses to her crimes had fled. Charges dropped. Jesus dismissed the woman and admonished her, "Go and sin no more."
What's the learning around truth and grace in this compelling narrative?
You don't really expect me to give you an answer do you?
But, naturally, I do have some additional inquiries for your contemplation...
In what sense, if any, did Jesus undercut the law when he dismissed the witnesses?
Or, did he merely undercut your perception of the law when he dismissed the witnesses?
Mightn't it be possible that one purpose of the law is to measure our capacity for mercy?
How does the dichotomy of truth and grace show up in this story?
How might this story illustrate the principle articulated by Jesus' brother James, "Judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment"? (James 2:13).
How might it be possible to maintain conviction and yet withhold judgment?
"Satan" is the translation of a Hebrew word meaning, "accuser"? What's the "be careful" place?
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Michael Fox
m�agine!
530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241 |
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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