John 8 Selected verses
3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”……. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ….And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ……., He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
What is the worst thing you have ever done? Does anyone know about it? Have you kept the secret all these years? What if someone found out? Would it be embarrassing or devastating? It could be awful?
This women’s sin has just been made public! She stands before her accusers and they are ready to stone her to death for her crime. Adultery is a capital offense in that society. What do you think it should be today?
The Pharisees don’t really care about this woman. There Law was clear. She was caught in adultery and should be stoned to death. By the way, where was the man with whom she was caught? Shouldn’t he be there facing the music too? I digress. Why did they bring her to Jesus? They told about the Law and then said “…Now what do you say?” They were trying to trick Jesus into disagreeing with the Law. How did that work out for them? Jesus turned the whole thing around on them. They thought they would trick Him into breaking the Law to save this woman. He took it to a whole other level.
Jesus did not change the Law. He said in Matthew 5:17 that He had not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He was not about to set the Law of His Father aside. The Law said she deserved death. We all deserve death. But Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He had a whole new plan. He would take the responsibility of the sin on Himself.
Jesus asked the accusers to go ahead and stone her if, they themselves, had no sin. One by one, they dropped their stones and walked away. There is none without sin for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So instead of stoning her, they just learned of their own shortcomings. Not one of them was without sin and neither are we. Do you look down at other people in judgment? There is only one Judge and we are not Him. It is our job to love and leave the judging to God. Jesus asked her if there was anyone who condemned her. They all left her with Jesus alone. He said “Then neither do I condemn you….Go and sin no more.” What an amazing gift! She was dragged there to be stoned to death and is given grace instead. Do you want grace? I do!
Lord, thank you for Your grace which is incomprehensible. We can never earn it or deserve it but You freely give us this gift. Guide us aright with Your good counsel but, when we do fail, quickly come to our aid and restore us to You. Lord, You make all things new. Renew our spirit today and help us to bring glory to You in word and deed. In Your name we pray.