John 8: The Woman Caught in Adultery

Here is an account from the Gospel of John containing a message true.

The wise will discern its application; take time to think it through.

Jesus was teaching on temple grounds, crowds were flocking to hear

When Pharisees threw down an adulterous woman trembling in fear.

They placed the woman before the Lord, said she was caught in the act.

“Moses said she ought to be stoned. Isn’t that a fact?”

(John pauses here to make it clear this action was a test

Intending to stifle approval of Him, His influence to arrest.)

The Pharisees would surely demand she die under a pile of stones,

For such a sinner cannot be allowed to return to her sin-filled home.

Others would plead for mercy, not thinking she should die.

It was a trap to summon discord, His influence disqualify.

Jesus stooped low and slowly began writing in the sand.

Perhaps those nearby could see the words written by His hand.

Jesus said in a sorrowful tone, “He without sin, cast the first stone.”

Then he began to write again, and the Pharisees headed for home.

We have no idea what He wrote, but they were struck within.

Perhaps he began to write a list of their own besetting sins.

Perhaps he revealed the innermost thoughts running through their mind;

This we know without a doubt: we all sin countless times.

Here in the text is what we find: their conscience afflicted their soul.

They had to admit within their mind they too were out of control.

Jesus was left with a wilting lady her head bowed down in shame

Degraded by evil, character shady, dishonored and tarnished in name.

“I see no accusers,” Jesus said, “of the sins you must account for?”

“Neither do I condemn you, daughter. Now go and sin no more.”

This sullied woman, debased by sin, and guilty as could be,

Left the Savior cleansed within, forgiven and spiritually free.

Now here is a truth behind this account, a fact we all should learn.

We all must place our trust in Christ: salvation cannot be earned.

Whether we judge like the Pharisee or look the other way,

We too have lived quite sinfully, will account for it some day.

Would you face God in your own righteousness? If so, you are a fool.

You would have to be sinless like our Lord, and that you cannot do.

This is why Jesus entered this world: to pay sin’s price on the cross.

We’re saved by Perfection enveloped in flesh from sure eternal loss.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

John 6: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Six months after the lame man was healed quite a lot had ensued.

Jesus was teaching everywhere surrounded by multitudes.

Herod Antipas martyred the Baptist, the disciples had preached around;

He desired a time for solitude away from the crowds and sound.

Jesus crossed the Galilee Sea to a lonely remote location

To prepare His disciples adequately for their soon-to-be vocation.

But even there on the mountainside they saw a crowd drawing near.

Observing the crowd He surmised, “We will need to feed them here?

The problem wasn’t too big for Him; a faith lesson He envisioned.

By trusting God in trials grim, a believer receives his provision.

It was clear the approaching crowd would number in the thousands;

There was no town with ample stores for people to shop and browse in.

“How shall we buy them bread to eat way out here in seclusion?”

The Lord’s disciples could not think of a satisfactory solution.

I don’t know if Jesus taught them first or if night shadows were falling,

But whenever it was Jesus knew hunger pangs were calling.

Now Andrew noted a young lad who had brought along his lunch,

But five little loves and two smoked fish were not enough for this bunch.

Jesus decided to use this time to teach them all about faith.

He had the disciples divide into groups, each with a smaller space.

The people sat down on the lush green grass and Jesus took the bread.

He held it up before the Father, and this is what He said,

“Heavenly Father, omnipotent God, we thank you for this food.

Multiply it sufficient for all and your blessings please include.”

He broke the bread and gave a portion, told them to do the same.

The disciple broke and gave to others; the same-size portion remained.

They continued with the two little fish; incredibly it happened again.

Breaking the food, the portions remained the same as they had been.

After all the people had eaten they gathered up what remained.

Then they counted all they had served, a number to ascertain.

Astoundingly they fed five thousand: man and woman and child;

And twelve more baskets of leftover food were easily compiled.

The people then remembered the words that Moses had predicted.

“This is the One that God will send to care for the poor and afflicted.”

Their appetite sated the people would rest, reluctant to leave that place,

But Jesus had more to say and do before the cross He would face.

He sent the disciples on the boat; He remained alone to pray

To receive strength and grace from God as He communed each day.

We could benefit from this example, living in constant communion;

Serving in His power and love ‘til we ascend to that great reunion.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

John 5:1-15: Healing the Paralyzed Man at the Pool of Bethesda

Jesus went up to Jerusalem to attend an important feast

Alert to the poor and hurting, caring for the least.

There by the pool lay a multitude of sick and lame, and blind

Hoping an angel would come and stir the waters one more time.

The legend was that whoever could get into the water first

Would find himself completely healed, his ailments reversed.

There lay a crippled, hopeless man, lame for thirty-eight years

Silently suffering day after day awaiting the angel’s stir.

Jesus saw him lying there, observed his crippling condition,

Saw the agony in his eyes enduring his lame disposition.

Jesus said, “Do you wish to be well?” The cripple quickly replied,

“O yes, but when the water is stirred, I cannot get inside.”

I can imagine their conversation and his impassioned plea:

“I try hard to get to the pool, but I have no one to help me!

Day after day, month after month, year after year I try,

Some days I am so discouraged, I simply lay here and cry.”

Jesus, as always, full of compassion, let the poor man talk.

Then with a commanding voice, He said, “Stand, rise up and walk.”

Immediately the man felt renewed, power flowed throughout.

Without a thought he jumped up and gave a joyful shout.

He reached down and bent his knees and then picked up his bed.

For the first time in thirty-eight years he marched straight ahead.

Of course the story could not be complete without an ironic end.

He ran into some Pharisees his very first day on the mend.

What are doing, carrying the bed? It’s the Sabbath, they said.

(They walked by him every day and saw him practically dead).

Rather than rejoice aloud that he, once lame, was healed;

They felt the need to lecture him, their inner heart revealed.

Who is this man who healed you? What does He think He can do?

Today is the Sabbath in the land; He can’t be out healing you.”

Away they went in indignation accusing Him in their hearts,

For healing on the Sabbath day would not fit their doctrinal chart.

The man departed and went away to the temple on the mount.

Jesus saw him and said to him, “Make these new days count.

Sin no more, live for God, make righteousness your goal,

Lest sin come back, enslave you again, ravaging your soul.”

There’s more than one truth in this account. Let me summarize:

Loving people more than tradition is what will win the prize.

Trusting God, believing His Word, acting on what He said

Will bring a fruitful life on earth with the joys of heaven ahead.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

John 4: Jesus and the Woman at the Well

The Jews didn’t like the Samaritans; they were considered impure.

God totally hated them! Of that they were very sure.

So it was really quite a shock when on the way from Galilee

Jesus walked through Samaria, the reason we soon shall see.

Our Lord stopped at Jacob’s well about noon on that fateful day.

The disciples went to purchase food but Jesus decided to stay.

As he sat there he saw the woman with whom He wanted to speak.

He, a Jew, asked her for water, the setting tense with mystique.

“Why sir, do you, a Jew, ask me for a drink so cool?

We are hated by the Jews, treated by them as fools.”

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift and giver

You could receive Living Water flowing in you like a river.”

“I would like this well God gives. What qualifies you to provide it?

Are you greater than Father Jacob who dug it and lived beside it?”

Jesus answered and said to her, “This well can thirst subside,

But the Living Water the Father gives springs up like a fountain inside.”

“Whoever receives this Living Water will never thirst again;

It speaks of the Holy Spirit of God and life that will never end.”

The woman said, “May I have it? What a blessing that would be!”

Jesus replied, “Go get your husband, so he too can see.”

“I have no husband,” the woman said, and she answered true.

“You have had five” Jesus replied, “the sixth is not married to you.”

“Sir, I see that you are a prophet, may I ask you a question true?

Samaritans worship on Mt. Gerizim. What do you think I should do?”

“The hour is coming,” Jesus said, “when that will not be the question.

Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth will be the proper expression.”

God is Spirit and those who worship will not offer a Passover lamb,

For the One who comes to be sacrificed is Himself the great “I AM.”

She then said, “A Messiah will come to care for all the righteous.

He will teach us what we don’t know and perhaps deliver the lifeless.

What a glorious day that will be when the Messiah we see!

Looking deeply into her soul, Jesus said, “I am He.”

The woman with her water pot left with her joy renewed

Inviting all to meet this man of astonishing magnitude.

The disciples returned and urged him to eat failing to get his mood.

He was at peace for such ministry was greater to him than food.

“My food is to do the will of the Father, the One who sent me to earth.

Look around, the harvest is ripe for souls to experience new birth.”

There is still time to gather the harvest before the season expires.

Proclaiming the truth and winning the lost is truly my greatest desire!

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved