Tuesday, March 24^th

Anniversary of the Presbyterian Reformed Church, Prince of Peace at Matanzas

When Everyone Points at You, Jesus Sees You Differently

John 8:1-11

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

John 8:11 (NIV)

Imagine being there, surrounded by people who don’t see you as a person. They drag you around, they expose you; they don’t ask how you got to that point. They don’t care about your story, your pain, your wounds. They just want someone to punish you.

And then Jesus appears. He doesn’t rush, he doesn’t shout, he doesn’t even look at you like the others do. He bends down and writes on the ground. When he speaks, he does so not to condemn you, but to disarm those who believe they have the right to judge.

One by one they leave because deep down they know they have failed, loved badly, lied, hurt others, desired what they shouldn’t have, and been unfair. And you, who were expecting the blow, receive only a glance. Jesus does not ask about your mistakes, nor does he demand explanations. He does not define you by what you did. On the contrary, he restores your dignity and allows you to start over because the mistake is not the most important thing. What is important is what you do after. What matters is that there is someone who believes in you, even when you no longer know how to believe in yourself.

Prayer: Lord, when the world calls me out for my mistakes, remind me that the way you see me lifts me up with mercy. Amen.

Translation by Susan Metcalf Smith

 

MARZO 24, Martes

Aniversario de la IPR Príncipe de Paz, Matanzas.

Cuando todos te señalan, Jesús te mira distinto.

Juan 8: 1-11

 Ni yo te condeno, vete, y no peques más.

Juan 8:11

Imagina estar ahí. Rodeada de gente que no te ve como persona. Te arrastran, te exponen, no preguntan cómo llegaste a ese momento. No les importa tu historia, tu dolor, tus grietas. Solo quieren que alguien te castigue.Y entonces aparece Jesús, no se apresura, no grita, ni siquiera te mira como los demás. Se inclina, escribe en el suelo, y cuando habla, no lo hace para condenarte, sino para desarmar a quienes creen tener derecho a juzgar.Uno a uno se van. Porque en el fondo, saben que han fallado, han amado mal, han mentido, herido, deseado lo que no debían, han sido injustos.Y tú, que esperabas el golpe, solo recibes una mirada, Jesús no pregunta por el error, no exige explicaciones, no te define por lo que hiciste, al contrario, te devuelve la dignidad, te permite empezar de nuevo.Porque el error no es lo más importante, lo importante es lo que haces después, lo importante es que hay alguien que cree en ti, incluso cuando tú ya no sabes cómo hacerlo.

Oración: Señor, cuando el mundo me señale por mis errores, recuérdame que tu mirada me levanta con misericordia. Amén