John 8:3-5
And the Scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? The woman in this text has a story: -A story of failure -A story of shame -But also a story of grace We have left the woman standing in the center of the circle, surrounded by men who are supposed to be religious leaders. The other man, sitting on the ground, surveying the entire scene while intently looking at the face of the accused, is Jesus. One thing is sure: -None of us ever lack for accusers -The accusatory tone comes easily to some -Some, it seems, almost thrive on accusing others In some regards, we are guilty as charged, but it still hurts to have it pointed out. To have someone standing over you in judgement...To have the fingers of a group pointed your way...To watch as the whispers all point your direction! Nevertheless, there she was in her shame and her guilt, with her failure on display for all to see. As she hears the accusation, but they're not directing their comments to her; they're asking this man whom she has never seen what he thinks about it all. And look at Jesus' response: John 8:6-9 But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Jesus reminds the accusers that even though their sin may be different or less public they all have something that they should stand in judgment for. And then look at this beautiful discourse between Jesus and this shamed woman. John 8:10-11 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. What does Jesus say about us? With our sin... With our shame ... With our guilt... He has every right to stand in judgment against us, but just like the woman taken in the very act of adultery, Jesus rebuffs our accusers and then excuses us from condemnation to once again prove his love and mercy. We all know John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. But, so few of us ever take the time to read the next scripture, which is equally as powerful as the first: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." What does Jesus say about us? "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:11) Oh, what love the Savior has to you and I! Listen to what Jesus has to say about you. Pastor Hoffman
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