To the Power of Being Known

To the Power of Being Known

Have you ever been found,  found out, or found wanting? We all want to be known.

Woman caught in adultery naked stone Jesus forgiveness

This picture comes from the story of the Men caught in Hypocrisy.

Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.

The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”

“No one, Master.”

“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” John 8:1-11 (The Message)

  • Being found out exposes us to the judgment and potential condemnation of others.
  • Being found wanting brings us to the point of need, a cry for mercy, a hunger for grace. 
  • Being found and known is what we all need. 

Jesus knew her. 

He knew the reasons why she did what she did, he knew her background, he knew the pain that coursed its way through her life, and he found her.

If he can find her, he can find you, and it’s ok.

Jesus in finding this unnamed woman gave her the gift of being known.

He knew her deepest core need of being considered as worthy of love. Under all the pain and strain of life, here was one that was made in the image of God.

Here was beauty waiting to fully released.

I have recently been reading Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson.
He writes this.

It is only when we are known that we are positioned to become conduits of love. And it is love that transforms our minds, makes forgiveness possible, and weaves a community of disparate people into the tapestry of God’s family. 

To be known is to be pursued, examined, and shaken.

To be known is to be loved and to have hopes and even demands placed on you.

It is to risk, not only the furniture in your home being rearranged, but your floor plans being rewritten, your walls being demolished and reconstructed.

To be known means that you allow your shame and guilt to be exposed—in order for them to be healed. Curt Thompson M.D

Jesus sided with the sinner, and he sides with you. 

Questions to Consider and leave a comment.
  1. What makes a person safe for you to allow them to know you?
  2. What fears surface at the thought of being fully known?

Barry Pearman
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