Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Eager eyes of Jesus

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Phillippians 3:8, 12
Paul writes, "I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him. I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus, brothers and sisters."

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031713-fifth-sunday-lent.cfm

And so, Paul suggests, will you. Jesus "eagerly seizes" those he loves. And he loves us all.

Jeremiah sometimes mourned this alarming and overwhelming servitude ("You have seduced me, and I was seduced" Jer 20:7). But Paul exults in it. He can't wait to give up everything to "share in Jesus' sufferings, become conformed to his death, and somehow attain the resurrection from the dead."

It is not so much Paul's theology that settles his mind and strengthens his will. He has experienced being seized eagerly by his Lord. It is only natural to return the tenacious love and loyalty he's been given. Once he has been in the presence of Jesus, Paul never again questions Jesus' love or Jesus' power. Jesus "seduced him, and he was seduced."

It is good to read today's Gospel story with this in mind. The forlorn woman caught in sexual sin does not immediately catch Jesus' attention. Neither does the ugly self-righteousness of her accusers. He does not look up when they demand his attention. He writes something in the dirt and looks away.

"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," he says quietly. Somehow in the midst of their screeching, they recognize his words and slowly fade away. Jesus still does not look up.

Finally Jesus looks at the broken-bodied, broken-hearted woman. In this most important kairos moment of her life, Jesus eagerly seizes her soul, just as he did Paul's. Just as he seizes mine and just as he seizes yours.

"Does no one condemn you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more." He surely smiles at her, and loves her.

There is no question about it. That woman will follow Jesus to the cross.

A word or two from you, Jesus, stops me in my tracks. I cannot resist. Then your eyes search out mine, and I look into the gaze of God's eternal endless love, and I am yours.

How is this daughter of God experiencing her moment? Here, in two parts, is one version: http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=122 and

http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=123

Devotions Archive

Eager eyes of Jesus

Sunday, March 17, 2013