Devotional September 22-26

A 5-Day Devotional Guide based on John 8:2-11  (NIV)
(written with aid of ChatGPT)

²At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” 

Text: John 8:2 “At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.”

• Jesus begins His day teaching, but His peace is interrupted by the scribes and Pharisees dragging in the woman. Annoyance often arises when we’re interrupted or distracted from what God has called us to do.
• Peace begins with recognizing that interruptions may be God’s opportunity to reveal His glory.

Reflection Question: How do I react when life interrupts my plans?

Prayer: "Lord, help me see interruptions as opportunities for Your peace to be revealed."

Text: John 8:3–4 “They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.’”

• The Pharisees were provoking Jesus to trap Him, an irritating and frustrating setup. Yet Jesus doesn’t react in anger—He stays calm.
• Annoyance tempts us to speak too quickly, but peace is found in holding our tongue until God gives wisdom.

Reflection Question: Do I let provocations steal my calm?

Prayer: Lord, grant me the strength to remain calm when others push my buttons.

Text: John 8:6 “But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.”

• Instead of reacting in irritation, Jesus chooses silence and a physical act that diffuses tension.
• Peace is cultivated when we respond with wisdom, not emotion. Sometimes the wisest response is silence.

Reflection Question: How can I practice silence instead of snapping when I feel annoyed?

Prayer: "Lord, teach me to respond in wisdom and not let irritation rule my emotions."

Text: John 8:7 “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Jesus redirects the crowd, shifting the attention from their accusations to their own hearts.

• When annoyed, peace comes by refusing to internalize negativity and instead pointing others to self-reflection and God’s truth.

Reflection Question: When annoyed by others, do I point them to Christ or let their negativity consume me?

Prayer: "Lord, help me turn irritation into an opportunity to witness Your truth and grace."

Text: John 8:11 “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

• Jesus turns an annoying, frustrating setup into a moment of grace.
• Peace flows from forgiveness. If we hold on to annoyance, it becomes bitterness. But when we extend grace, we release peace into ourselves and others.

Reflection Question: Who do I need to extend grace to today so that I can walk in peace?

Prayer: Lord, help me release grace, even when I am annoyed, so that I may walk in Your peace.