HOST: Michael Whitworth
SPONSOR: Logos Bible Software
Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
This story is a familiar example of Jesus’ compassion and mercy, but it is also a great example of His wisdom in dealing with the schemes of the Jewish leaders. They had brought this woman to Him as a trap, that they might have a reason to accuse Him of some wrongdoing. Though there is little doubt that she was guilty of the sin of adultery, she was but a pawn in their game—bait by which they hoped to snag the Master Teacher. But Jesus easily saw through their façade. As they were ready to put her to death for her sins, He reminds them of their own transgressions which place each of them in violation of the law just as she was. They have no choice but to walk away, convicted by their own sins. But what of the woman? Did Jesus excuse her sinfulness? Did He ignore her wrongdoing? Not at all! His simple statement to her, “Go and sin no more,” was both a condemnation of her actions and a demonstration of God’s mercy toward sinners. He gave her another chance, just as God does with us each time we fail to be obedient to Him. Thanks be to God for His loving mercy toward us!
What practical lessons can we learn from this event in Jesus’ life?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
