SCRIPTURE: John 8:1-11
“Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)
Unfortunately, this story is not for sure a true story.
The earliest and the best Greek manuscripts do not include it.
I say unfortunately because it captures beautifully the spirit of Jesus.
We see Jesus being extremely gracious with a sinful woman.
We see Jesus being extremely firm with the religious elite.
We see Jesus overruling the law with grace.
Jesus does not ignore her sin, but neither does He condemn her.
Whether or not this event actually happened, there is something powerful for us.
The earliest believers saw Jesus this way, as for sinners and against religious hypocrisy.
This is what made Jesus both so appealing, and problematic, for the Jews.
It is also what draws people to Jesus today.
People still quote these words (‘cast the first stone’) to avoid condemnation.
People are less likely to quote Jesus’ other words (‘go and sin no more’).
But taken together, this whole story shows us the Jesus we love, the Jesus we need.
He looks at us and says “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for not condemning me. Your graciousness makes me want to stop the sins that I know I need top stop.
Observation/Application
Once again the religious leaders laid a trap for Jesus and in doing this they themselves broke the law for according to the OT law – both the man and the woman were to be brought into judgement together. But being the clergy – the Jews had no rights for punishing the law breakers.
I wonder what the Lord wrote on the ground? The accusers left and there were non left. The case was no more.
A new beginning in Christ Jesus. Go and sin no more!
Life is a possibility only in Christ Jesus and in Him only we have true life – life eternal. Live in Him and for Him always.
Love for Jesus.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!