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| John 8:1-11 |
The angry mob of religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus. Their intent was to catch Him in His words. They brought a woman just caught in the act of adultery to Him in a public place to confront Him with her sin.
There are so many angles from which to view this episode. There are also many questions. Where did they find her? How did they know about her? Was one of her accusers also her partner in sin? If not, where is the man in this scenario? The Law they were relying on calls both parties guilty. So many things are wrong with this scenario before we even get to Jesus’ response.
These were religious leaders. The scribes were scholars of the Law. Pharisees esteemed themselves to be elitists when it came to obeying the Law. Yet neither seemed to understand their entire worship system was built upon forgiveness. The Law pointed to sin, but also offered the remedy through the sacrificial system. The priests were supposed to offer the people’s sin offerings upon the altar to atone for their sins. It was never the religious leaders calling to point out and condemn sin. Never!
The Law was our tutor to show us we are sinners who need a Savior (Ephesians 3:24). The priests and sacrificial system were the avenue to forgiveness in the Old Testament. Yet, here we have the scribes and Pharisees bringing this sinner into the temple courts for judgment and condemnation instead of the freedom it was built to bring her. They neither understood what they were doing nor to Whom they were bringing her. They brought this poor sinner to the Sacrificial Lamb and asked Him to condemn her.
Jesus, in the midst of teaching in the temple simply began to write in the dirt with His finger while the accusers began to rage. They were so confident. They were so focused on achieving their goal, they could not see the destruction in their wake. We don’t know what Jesus wrote. Some scholars believe He wrote the sins her accusers were committing. I find it interesting they did not throw stones when He suggested the one without sin should cast the first stone. I am surprised by their integrity at this point as one by one they dropped their stones and walked away leaving the accused woman alone with Jesus.
Here is this woman – who knows how she is dressed – standing alone before Jesus, left by her accusers. She has been exposed in every way. Is there any better place to find yourself when you have been accused, stripped bare, and are guilty? There is only one place to go in this situation and those who despised her brought her to the best place, the only place one can go in such a state – to Jesus. She was alone with the only One Who could save her and He accepted her as she was, scantily clad, hair and make up a mess, cheeks flush with guilt and shame and He loved her – as she was.
It is a true saying, we can come to Jesus just as we are. This woman knew she was guilty of her sin. Yet Jesus did not condemn her. He does not condemn us either (John 3:17). When we come raw and honest, when we bring our authentic self before Him and we know our guilt and need, He meets us where we are at. He says to us, too, “Neither do I condemn you” (John 8:1-11). This seems to be where this world stops in this story, but Jesus makes one more statement, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11b). Yes, come as you are, but be willing to be changed by grace.
Here is the big reality. Yes! Jesus bids you to come just as you are in all your reality. This woman came straight from her lover’s bed and was thrust before Him with hatred and disgust. Jesus did not despise her in her sin. He loved her. He cared for her and He protected her from her accusers, so He does for us. He bore her sins and ours on the cross as our Sacrificial Lamb. He paid it all; He bought us at the price of His very own life. What does He require of us? Go and sin no more; be changed by His grace and mercy. Don’t leave His sacrifice for not. “Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7).
The question today becomes what exactly is sin? This world has made this a subjective question, but the Word of God is clear about sin. The big question then becomes are we going to be like? Will we be like the scribes and Pharisees when it comes to the sins of others or are we going to be Christlike and show mercy instead of condemnation? God’s heart is clear “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)? “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
Showing grace and mercy are not the same as agreeing with the sin in someone’s life. It is our opportunity to allow Jesus to do a heart change in another person through the same love He showed us. The big question then becomes for the one who comes authentically before Jesus, are you willing to agree with Him about what is and is not sin in your life? Will you be willing to let go of whatever He asks of you? I think when we come to Him and understand the forgiveness He has given there can be no other response than, “Yes, Lord.”
“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22-23).
“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).