What would Jesus do?

The past few weeks have not been easy ones. As my spirit yields to God's Spirit to guide and to lead me, these stories from Scriptures have come to mind. I too pray for discernment and understanding of what the truth is; and how God's holiness, truth and justice interacting with His divine love, mercy and grace are all parts of the same coin.

What does Scripture say about all the challenging events of life when truth needs to come forth, when love needs to be expressed and when justice has to be served? What would Jesus do about sins, about the accusers and the accused?

Here are the stories:

The story of Nathan, the prophet has impacted my heart and mind; He heard the voice of God, and therefore dared to come to face the king with a beautiful story about the dear lamb of his neighbor which was being taken away by the rich neighbor to feed his guest. As a result of that this rich neighbor had taken what is dearest to his poor neighbor. David was outrageous when he heard the story; but Nathan said, "You are the man." These four words "You are the man" could have cost Nathan his own life for daring to stand up for truth, for daring to obey God's command despite of the cost. David repented of his sins, but consequence had to take its course.

Psalm 51 lets us know how God loves to hear the prayer of the contrite and broken heart. He will not despise them. Who has never sinned? No one. However, when the Spirit of God convicted our hearts, we repent of our sins; we agree with God and make amendment; we change our course 180 degree; we have decided to go God's way now, no longer follow our own course.

Another story came to mind. The story of Esther was fascinating. When the Jews faced with Haman, the wicked man, who wanted to destroy the whole people from their existence, God raised up Mardocai and Esther. What Mardocai said has left an impression on the heart of Esther. God has brought her to this place so that He can use her for His purpose. She has a hard choice to make to do something about it. If she does not do it, God still can raise up someone else to do it for Him. God's will must be carried out through our obedience. The people fasted; Esther fasted and risked her life when she went into the palace to see the king without an invitation. God's favor was upon her. The king granted her requests. At the end God saved his people, exalted Mardocai; Esther was loved again; meanwhile, Haman was hung.

And then came the story of Jesus' compassion toward this woman who was caught in the act. The crowd was up roaring. The elders were present. The man or men who committed in the act of sinning with her was/were not found. The woman was taken to Jesus. The crowd was waiting and waiting. What would Jesus do? He wrote something on the ground. Then he told them "Those without sin be the first ones to throw the stones at her." He then kept on writing something on the ground. It was all quiet. The crowd one by one left. Jesus finally said to the accused woman, "I have not condemned you; go and sin no more."

Have you fasted and prayed and sought the will of God when you are faced with a hard choice to make. I don't know about you, but I have chosen to seek His will, to listen to the Lord and to do what He has called me to do. I am committed to follow Jesus and to serve Him.

I have considered many options, verified stories, listened to a number of pastors and mentors. I have prayed and sought His will for me. I am in God's hands and so you are.

Pastor Linh