Yesterday, we discussed how the world condemns one another and how we fall prey to doing this ourselves. We also saw that God does not condemn those of us who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Today, we are going to go a little further into the grace of God.
Today’s passage is the conclusion to an incident in which the Jewish leaders, both politically and religiously, were laying a trap for Jesus. We see this same type of behavior today, don’t we? We see people of faith being put into, what appears, no win situations. How do we get out of them?
Let’s take a look at how Jesus avoided the trap. The leaders brought a woman who was caught in adultery before Jesus. They partially quote the law, as given to Moses. You see, the law stated both the man and the woman were to be stoned (Leviticus 20:10). First note for us, know and understand God’s guidance and expectations.
It’s obvious Jesus knew the law. He ignored their pleas for a judgment to be made…until they continually hounded Him to do so. At that point, when Jesus had heard enough, He straightened up and uttered what has become a famous line, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7b) Second note, see the situation through God’s eyes rather than human.
Why would Jesus make this statement opposed to pronouncing judgment? He is teaching a lesson on grace. His point is that we all have sinned, and we all need forgiveness. We cannot earn forgiveness. It is only because of God’s unmerited grace that we are forgiven. Third note, be gracious to one another, just as God is gracious to you.
We see Jesus grant this woman forgiveness when He does not condemn her. He does, however, give her one bit of instruction—“Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11b) Fourth note, provide a word of encouragement toward doing better to one another, without condemning.
I pray we all learn what God expects of us. I pray we see our situations through the eyes of God. I pray each one of us gives up condemning others and offer encouragement instead. Seek to know God’s expectations. See through God’s eyes. Stop condemning one another. Offer a word of encouragement.
John 8: 10-11 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.”
Marty Pressey 