Am I picking up stones?

Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.~John 8:58-59

In the eighth chapter of John we find Jesus teaching in the temple.  The Pharisees bring an adulterous woman to Jesus seeking to trap Him (John 8: 8-11).  That didn’t work. So then they seek to dispute His testimony and refuse to acknowledge and believe Who He is( John 8:13).  They have Jesus front and center telling them they would die in their sins if they did not believe, but they refused ( John 8:24).  

Some made the first step, but when old beliefs or rather their limited understanding of the truth was challenged it was too much. They were all good until Jesus sought to give them a better understanding,  wishing to have them walk in freedom from their sins,  but then got trapped by holding on to what they thought the knew, rather than making “ room for His word.”  They couldn’t let go. So instead of picking up the truth, they picked up stones instead. (John 8:31-58).

But before I judge them or shake my head at their lack of understanding or their lack of awareness of Who was before them I have to examine myself.  Have I not been guilty of the same thing?  Have I not experienced those times when Jesus had confronted me with the truth of His word, but because it made me uncomfortable I argued with Him of the one who He chose to send it to me?  Have I not picked up stones because I was stuck in a rut of past thinking and I wasn’t ready to let go of the past and incomplete understandings?  Was I offended that sin was revealed to me?  Did it shatter my pride to realize once again, “girl you have not arrived.”?

The answer would have to be yes.  I have rejected truth and at times chosen to believe what I believe over what He says because it required me to do more of give up something.  But praise be unto God for His grace that opens my ears and softens my heart do that I can hear Him and receive His best for me.  He love unclasps my hands so that I release the old and embrace the new.  He shifts and renews my mind and now the stones that I pick up are to use to burry the old.  

Lord, You are light and truth.  You are freedom for my soul.  Father, forgive me those times I have rejected the truth.  Give me eyes to see you, ears to hear You, and feet that move to obey You.  Make I keep your teaching near and dear to me and be the disciple You have called me to be.  In Jesus name. Amen