Lent Day 21 [03.13.2026] The Lens of Grace

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

Scripture: John 7:53-8:1-30

When Jesus was teaching the temp courts, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees dragged out a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand before the people. They challenged Jesus, hoping to entrap Him because they knew that the people loved Jesus because He had provided for so many, but the Jewish law clearly condemns such a woman to death (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). Jesus would either break the law and lose favor amongst the Jews or allow this woman to be stoned to death and lose favor amongst the common people.

Rather than answering their challenge right away, Jesus kneels down to write in the ground with his finger. When they kept questioning Him, He answers, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Starting with the oldest, they began to go away one at a time because they realized that they too have been guilty of breaking the law and sinning against God. In this way, Jesus does not deny the woman’s sin but reveals that a fellow sinner has no right to condemn without inherently condemning themselves.  

Jesus stands up and asks the woman where her accusers are to which she responds that they have all left. Then Jesus, who is the only one with the right to condemn her says, “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” Jesus does not permit her sin, but also does not condemn it, rather Jesus sets her free from it through grace. This is how Jesus chose to see this woman, and how Jesus chooses to see us today: through the lens of grace.

Grace is about receiving what we do not deserve. Jesus shows us grace by providing forgiveness and eternal life to all those who would believe in Him. Through the lens of grace, we are no longer condemned but redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus does not view us with distain or disappointment, but with love and acceptance.

Reflection:

1.     When have we judged others for what they have done without realizing that we too are not perfect?

2.     How can we view others in love and compassion like Jesus did with this woman?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Thank you for seeing me through the lens of grace and redeeming my life through your sacrifice. Give me the strength to extend a helping hand to others and love them without judgement like you have loved me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 은혜의 렌즈

본문: John 7:53–8:30

예수님께서 성전 뜰에서 가르치고 계실 때, 율법학자들과 바리새인들은 간음하다가 붙잡힌 한 여인을 끌고 와서 사람들 앞에 세웠습니다. 그들은 예수님을 시험하고 함정에 빠뜨리려고 했습니다. 많은 사람들이 예수님을 사랑하고 따랐기 때문에, 예수님께서 많은 사람들에게 은혜와 도움을 베푸셨다는 것을 그들도 알고 있었습니다. 그러나 유대 율법에 따르면 이러한 여인은 반드시 죽임을 당해야 했습니다 (레위기 20:10, 신명기 22:22). 만약 예수님께서 율법을 어기고 그 여인을 풀어 주신다면 유대인들의 지지를 잃게 될 것이고, 만약 돌로 치라고 허락하신다면 평범한 백성들의 지지를 잃게 될 상황이었습니다.

예수님께서는 그들의 질문에 곧바로 대답하지 않으시고 몸을 굽혀 손가락으로 땅에 글을 쓰셨습니다. 그들이 계속해서 질문하자 예수님께서는 이렇게 말씀하셨습니다.

“너희 중에 죄 없는 자가 먼저 돌로 치라.”

가장 나이가 많은 사람부터 하나씩 떠나기 시작했습니다. 그들 역시 하나님의 율법을 어기고 죄를 지은 적이 있다는 사실을 깨달았기 때문입니다. 이처럼 예수님께서는 여인의 죄를 부정하지 않으셨지만, 죄인인 사람이 다른 죄인을 정죄할 수 없다는 사실을 드러내셨습니다.

예수님께서 일어나셔서 여인에게 “너를 고발하던 사람들이 어디 있느냐?”라고 물으셨습니다. 여인은 그들이 모두 떠났다고 대답했습니다. 그때 예수님께서는 이렇게 말씀하셨습니다.

“나도 너를 정죄하지 아니하노니 가서 다시는 죄를 범하지 말라.”

예수님께서는 그 여인의 죄를 허용하신 것이 아니라, 정죄하지 않으시고 은혜로 그 죄에서 자유하게 하셨습니다. 이것이 바로 예수님께서 이 여인을 바라보신 방식이며, 오늘날 우리를 바라보시는 방식이기도 합니다. 바로 은혜의 렌즈를 통해서입니다.

은혜란 우리가 받을 자격이 없는 것을 받는 것입니다. 예수님께서는 자신을 믿는 모든 사람들에게 죄의 용서와 영원한 생명을 주심으로 은혜를 베푸십니다. 은혜의 렌즈를 통해 우리는 더 이상 정죄받는 존재가 아니라, 예수 그리스도의 보혈로 구속받은 존재가 됩니다. 예수님께서는 우리를 멸시하거나 실망의 눈으로 보시는 것이 아니라 사랑과 받아들임으로 바라보십니다.

묵상 질문

1. 우리는 언제 다른 사람의 잘못을 판단하면서, 우리 역시 완전하지 않다는 사실을 잊었던 적이 있습니까?

2. 예수님께서 이 여인을 바라보셨던 것처럼, 우리가 다른 사람들을 사랑과 긍휼로 바라볼 수 있는 방법은 무엇일까요?

   
   

기도

사랑하는 하나님, 죄의 용서와 영원한 생명의 선물을 주셔서 감사합니다. 저를 은혜의 렌즈로 바라보시고 주님의 희생을 통해 제 삶을 구속해 주셔서 감사합니다. 제가 다른 사람들에게도 도움의 손길을 내밀고, 주님께서 저를 사랑하신 것처럼 판단하지 않고 사랑할 수 있도록 힘을 주십시오.예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.