2070) I am much more acquainted with judgment than I am grace. Judgment seems natural to me. You do something wrong; you’re judged and punished.  

Grace seems complicated to me. I do something wrong and forgiveness is offered. I’m given eternal life just for asking for it, in Jesus’ name. That’s what I find complicated.  

We see both judgment and grace in Jesus’ interactions with people in John 8.  

At the beginning of the chapter, an adulterous woman was set to be stoned to death because of her breaking the law of fidelity. Jesus gives her grace when he admonishes her accusers and reminds them they are guilty of sin, too.  

In the middle and end of the chapter, the religious leaders argue with Jesus when he reveals the gift of God’s grace when we fall short.  

Their hearts refuse to ponder Jesus’ new wine and wineskins (Mark 2:22) and then proceed to throw stones at Jesus.  

Judgment is a part of God, but grace, offered freely at God’s expense, makes a relationship with God possible.  

Why choose judgment when grace is offered?