“‘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 8:10-11
The story of the woman caught in adultery is set in the temple courts at dawn. There are many gathered around Jesus to hear His teaching for the day. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees approach with intentions of trapping Jesus. They drag in a woman whose sin they exploit as part of their plan. Would Jesus uphold the law? Would He order stoning for this adulterous woman? Surely they’d be able to accuse Him with this strategy.

Jesus got on ground level and wrote in the dirt before confronting them. “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). Not a single stone was thrown.

The world hasn’t changed much. We still thrive on judgment and condemnation, on exposing others’ wrongdoings while overlooking our own. This is not what we are called to as believers. We can leave the behavior of others in the hands of the Lord. He will deal righteously and accordingly with people’s sin. But He also is eager to offer forgiveness and a new way of life for all who come to Him.



Scripture Focus

John 8:1-11

Insight

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Bible In A Year

  • Job 39-40
  • Psalm 61
  • Luke 24

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