As Though He Heard Them Not....
“This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” - John 8:6 KJV
For me the key words that stand out whenever I read this scripture is “as though he heard them not”. Hence the title. Because you see, it wasn't that Jesus didn't hear His supposed brethren springing a trap, He's God, He knows all. Spiritually Jesus saw the bigger picture and the intents of those involved. In this case, it was trying to trap Jesus with the 'caught in the act adulterous woman'... now the whole fact that they only dragged the woman to be condemned (Where was the dude at?!?!) is already messed up. Because that means she had stalkers and gawkers in an era before technology.... (something something these accusers could have gotten some voyeurism charges today... but moving on!).
The main thing that these brethren scribes and pharisees wanted to have reason to accuse and discredit Jesus and His sincere hardcore followers. Even though each person willingly being used by Satan in this specific instance knew they weren't right, they still had some good conscience in their heads, hence them not throwing a stone at the woman. It's right here:
“ And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. “ - John 8:9 KJV
One of the things I honestly love about how Jesus handled each situation He left on record, was that He wasn't afraid to take things many steps further than His closest haters were prepared to deal with. Even against Satan himself. This flustered Satan and his pawns and constantly caused an enemy and enemy pawn “regroup” to occur when an attempt to stop and trap Jesus failed. Honestly, Satan doesn't change tactics, only faces. This is a spiritual concept that Jesus understood completely and never forgot. So even when He was attacked by Satan through Peter (unbeknownst to Peter himself I might add!), He just recognized it and addressed Satan directly. Like dude, leave my boy alone, and He kept stepping! Cool. Let's look:
“22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” - Matthew 16:22-26 KJV
Jesus was seeing things spiritually clearly, which sometimes seems on a carnal level a bit gloomy and grotesque, especially when the Holy Ghost hadn't yet been given. Causing a reaction somewhat like:
But Jesus still had to deliver the spiritual truth as best as possible at that time. And this delivery of spiritual truth was what Satan did not want to occur. Because once it was given and proven to be true just as Jesus had spoken it, it would discredit His accusers and win countless souls to the Kingdom of Light from the Kingdom of Darkness. From mere #Truthiness and #Hope leading to the ultimate truth of.... you got it: Acts 2:38 KJV which states:
“38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” - Acts 2:38 KJV
Peter didn't have the Holy Ghost to help him see completely the spiritual unfolding of truth that was taking place. Even though he was braver than most of the other disciples, that alone wasn't enough. However, this bravery would come in major handy for what Jesus had planned for Peter after Jesus rose from the grave. For who? The praying Centurion Cornelius. Let's quickly fast forward and review this:
“44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” - Acts 10:44-47 KJV
I keep feeling led to bravely come back to this supernatural event that occurred with specifically the Head of Household, Cornelius and it's spiritual significance. Solidifying the observation with some current facts from our time. Because scripture specifically speaks of “they of the circumcision”. It could have merely referred to Peter and his crew just being Jews. So in my humble opinion, there was a spiritual breakthrough concerning Jesus superseding not only the fact that Cornelius was a Gentile, but an uncircumcised Gentile. Because dudes can be Gentiles and be circumcised, even during that time frame. Muslims circumcised even though they would still be considered Gentiles to the Jewish population, and this is an important fact to remember.
In current times and we can gather some stats to help see how this allowed the floodgates of possible souls to be brought into the Kingdom of Light to explode in numbers in Apostolic Doctrine truth, if hindrances could be overcome to literally opening up the spiritual flood gates of souls. It's got to be more than a song when we sing “Open Up The Flood Gates” from our respective Apostolic church platforms!
According to a Population Health Metrics article published on the subject in 2016 “We estimate that 37–39 % of men globally are circumcised.” (Morris, 2016). Now that's an estimate of 39% of the WORLD today, you know with medical hospitals and doctors and nurses waaaay more prevalent today than when Jesus gave Cornelius the Holy Ghost. But even today, that leaves an estimated 61% - 63% of the male population of the world today uncircumcised. That's a lot of Heads of Household possibilities. The spiritual supernatural act was also a display of Jesus' ability to circumcise the spiritual HEART of man beyond the physical when the earnest desire to seek out truth in Jesus was present. As was the case in not only Cornelius as the Head of his Household, but also showed that all his household was in submission to and trusted his humble leadership. Which lets be real, that's rare at anytime! Because most of the time there's at least one who is kinda like 'naw bro I ain't following along'. But scripture says the Holy Ghost fell on all they that heard Peter. And Cornelius went further than just gathering his immediate household. It says so a few verses before the main supernatural action happened:
“24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.” - Acts 10:24 KJV
Soooo Cornelius was serious about not only his household, but also his kin and his near friends. The near friends portion is something I had never focused on before, but it really stands out now. Good going Cornelius!
Being sincere in seeking out the spiritual truth that can only be found in Jesus and earnestly pressing until Jesus hears and moves really works spiritually. Even cause Jesus to dispatch messenger Angels like He did with Cornelius. Because remember Angels have to fight through a lot to get down here in earth realm. We can see that here:
“11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” - Daniel 10:11-14 KJV
And can't forget that sorcerers be trying to get in the way of Jesus moving spiritually when He wants to too! Scripture shows this right here:
“7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.” - Acts 13:7-9 KJV
And while I'm on the subject of legit true Angels of the Lord, lets be real that Satan himself and his fallen Angel bros (because ALL ANGELS ARE MALE! That's for another #BibleStudy #DontLetSemiramisTripYouUp #LOL) like to deceive. Beware of any 'angel' that won't confess Jesus Christ is Lord.... because we are living in the last days and perilous times are upon us. Because scripture states:
“13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” - 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 KJV
There's you've been warned. Jesus got my back. And He already knows I am not afraid to put a possible Angel through some paces to ensure that they are of Jesus and not Satan trying to lead me astray with fakers. ^_^ #IkeepItReal #NoShameInMyGame
Back to Cornelius and the aftermath that Peter had to deal with from his own wanting to force the flood gates of souls close. *Cough* Price'em Out *cough* something something quality control *cough cough* Nothing new under the sun *hacks up a lung* Whew! Don't know what happened there! All better now! ^_^
Immediately in the following chapter, Peter's brethren pounced on him! Look:
“1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” - Acts 11:1-3 KJV
Nobody even asked Peter if the food was good! Come on! I would have asked....
Not to mention they knew before they engaged Peter that the Gentiles had RECEIVED the word of God. They knew it was received, and instead of rejoicing and helping to bring the truth they attacked poor Peter. Good thing he was used to that from his spiritual #bootcamp experience walking with Jesus! You know, to help Peter remember that Jesus trumps everybody else put together and Peter's the only one that got to walk on water with Jesus too..... Just saying.
Remembering that Jesus knew all this was going to take place before He was even crucified. So it's no wonder He was making cool #art on the ground when His hater's were trying to find a reason to accuse Him in the verse we started out with. Remember it? Or are you scrolling back up to find it at the top of this blog post? #Hehe Here it is again:
“This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” - John 8:6 KJV
Yup, Jesus is so totally cool. Just make the art, and hear and don't hear some things your haters say that don't matter in the moment anyway. God is not mocked, and keeps great records. #TakeNotes #POTSWarrior4Jesus
References
Morris, B. J., Wamai, R. G., Henebeng, E. B., Tobian, A. A., Klausner, J. D., Banerjee, J., & Hankins, C. A. (2016). Estimation of country-specific and global prevalence of male circumcision. Population Health Metrics, 14, 4. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12963-016-0073-5
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