Encounters Along the Way – The Woman Caught in Adultery
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (John 8:2-5)
Imagine the complete humiliation of being in this woman’s place. She stood alone in public, surrounded by angry accusers. They announced to everyone present the sin she had committed, with a pious attitude that they were upholding the law. But the man caught with her was nowhere to be found. No this wasn’t fair. No this wasn’t right.
Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. (John 8:6-8)
We see this played out daily on TV as famous people, world leaders and celebrities make choices that have a huge fallout and open the doors for public criticism. Social media is quick to relay the latest downfalls of others and for some reason many people feel they have a right to comment and cast a stone.
It’s in those moments that we too need to look inside our own lives and see how quickly we pick up stones to throw at others. We often justify our words by determining that their sin is greater than ours or that it was their choice and they deserve to suffer the consequences.
If we would dig deeper we may even notice that sometimes when we share other people’s struggles in the form of a prayer request, are we really desiring to pray God’s will for them or are we only spreading the word and gossiping?
A sincere prayer request for them would have us on our knees truly seeking God’s will for them, dropping the stones of judgement and offering a hand of fellowship. Isn’t that what you would want if your sins were announced publicly?
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8: 9-11)
How different this woman’s day and life were after she encountered Jesus. How different were the mindsets of those present who recognized their own sin and dropped their stones.
When we recognize our own sinful nature, we are better equipped to extend mercy to others who are struggling with sin in their own lives. Jesus didn’t condemn the woman, but neither did He ignore or condone her sin. He told her to leave her sinful life.
As redeemed Daughter’s of the King, we have experienced the Grace of God and we too are told to leave our lives of sin. That means dropping the same stones that could have been hurled at us.
Be Intentional about extending mercy to others.
Praises & Prayers
Lord, I ask forgiveness for the many times I have picked up stones and thrown them at others with my words, thoughts and deeds. I pray that I will remember the mercy that You have shown to me over and over again and offer it to others. Let my prayers for them be a sincere desire to help them and not add to their pain and humiliation. Thank you for Your Grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Messages from His Word
Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.