«But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, ‘Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?’ » (Mark 2:8).
While looking for his father’s lost donkeys, Saul and his servant arrived in a city. As they were about to enter through the gates, Saul asked a man: «Where is the seer’s house?» That man was none other than the prophet Samuel. Samuel then replied, «I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart» (1 Samuel 9:19). If a prophet told you that he would reveal to you all the secrets of your heart, how would you feel? Samuel showed that he knew what was in Saul’s heart by telling him, before he asked, that his father had already found the donkeys. If you were in Saul’s sandals, would you have stayed until the next morning to see what other secrets the prophet would reveal?
One of Jesus’s skills that most annoyed His enemies was His ability to read hearts and know thoughts. They had nowhere to hide from Him! Since the entry of sin into Eden, our tendency is to hide and cover ourselves with fig leaves. We want to be accepted, but at the same time, exposing our naked souls terrifies us.
I wonder if the adulterous woman whom the scribes and Pharisees brought before Jesus had time to dress, or if she was still disheveled and untidy (John 8:1—11). Even if she had been given the opportunity to compose herself, her soul was absolutely naked and her shame was exposed to everyone’s eyes. However, Jesus saw not only that; He also saw that they were using the woman to accuse Him. He saw the hatred and hypocrisy of those men, the pain of the woman (and of all the women who would read her story). Seeing it all—past, present, and future—Jesus answered with justice and compassion: «Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more» (John 8:11).
Saul received a prophecy about God’s plan for his life because he was willing to remain under Samuel’s piercing gaze. The adulterous woman received forgiveness and a new opportunity when Jesus looked at her. Although there is nothing hidden from God’s eyes, when we approach and allow Him to examine us, shame loses its power.
«Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting» (Psalm 139:23, 24).
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
