Adulterous Woman Caught
Mercy. Many of us have heard this word before, maybe in a sermon, maybe as a lyric in a song. Some of us have personally experienced mercy for ourselves. But there may be some of us that do not fully understand mercy. You can’t give mercy if you don't understand mercy. Jesus gave us an example! A woman caught in adultery who received mercy instead of a death sentence. What to learn from this and can you receive that same mercy today?
Isn’t so easy to point the finger at people, especially when you know they have committed something immoral or wrong. Let’s be honest for a moment. How many of us would quickly look at a prostitute woman on the street and have the heart to pray for her in that moment. Ok, take it a step further, and ask her if she’s hungry and offer her food? Many of us would be thinking, why doesn't she get arrested? Why doesn't she go get a real job? Look at that dirty woman over there, stay away from her she’s on drugs! Many of us have this mindset of condemnation. Condemnation is when we disapprove someone's action and we judge or sentence their punishment. We act as if we are “better” humans than they are and they deserve a harsher punishment or consequence. OUCH! I think many of us do this more than what we think or even like to admit.
In John chapter 8 Jesus was teaching in the temple court. The religious leaders (the scribes and Pharisees) dragged in a woman who was caught in adultery. They made her stand in the center of the court where Jesus was teaching.
“And they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women (to death).” John 8:4-5
The Law of Moses (mentioned in Leviticus 20:10) demanded that both persons (man and woman) who commit an adulterous crime both be put to death. This was stated very clear in scripture.
“The man who commits adultery with another’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall most certainly be put to death.” Leviticus 20:10
In this case the religious leaders only drag in the woman who took part. She must have been terrified! She must have been shaking from the knees, knowing her destination is death by stoning. She had no voice, no say, no attorney, no chance to plead her defense. Her fate was out of her hands. Yet, she was even being used by the religious leaders to try to trap Jesus. If Jesus said no, not to stone her, then Jesus would be in violation to Moses’s Law.
“But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with his finger. However, when they persisted in questioning Him, he straightened up and said, “He who is without (any) sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:6-7
Then Jesus went back to writing on the ground. The entire atmosphere shifted! The mob who had stones in their hands ready to cast them and stone this woman to death, dropped their stones and the leaders shook their heads and walked away. Hallelujah. Jesus exemplified MERCY! He didn’t fall for the traps of the religious leaders! Ohhhhhh but it’s not over yet! The woman and Jesus remained.
“Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.” John 8:10-11
Jesus did not condemn this woman….but he did not ignore or accept her sin! He told her to go and not do it again. WOW! This is sooooooooo powerful that this woman was at the point of her death and she did not see a way out!! But Jesus!! Lord…. God gave her another chance!!! He forgave her, he didn’t need an explanation of circumstances. He didn't ask her details of WHY she did what she did! God you are merciful! God you love us soooooo much that when we ask for forgiveness, you give it! You give us another chance no matter how far gone we think we may be….it's never too late for Jesus! He died for us! He shed his blood for us!
Jesus wants you to experience forgiveness and repentance! Jesus wants to clean your life up! Jesus wants to clean your heart up and have a fresh start! A start where you refuse to go back to your sin and walk in total freedom of bondage! Let go of sexual desires or sins. Let go of hatred and envy! Let go of the drugs and alcohol! Let go of the pride and prejudices! Let go of slander and division! Walk away from it and sin no more!!!
Let’s pray:
Dear lord Jesus, we thank you for Mercy! We thank you that there is nothing that we have done that is beyond your ability to forgive. We thank you that you want to give us a clean heart and a fresh start so that we can GO and SIN NO MORE! Lord we die to the desires of our flesh! Lord we ask for your mercy on us everyday. Rid us of impurities and make us a new creation through you! Help us give mercy to others, especially to those who have hurt us. Let me walk in love and in mercy daily that others will see your love and mercy through me! In Jesus' name, we pray Amen!
“The LORD 's unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The LORD is all I have, and so I put my hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 GNB
