The story in John 8:4-10 about the woman caught in adultery beautifully portrays the depth of Jesus’ saving grace.
The woman was caught in adultery. The penalty was to be stoned to death. Every Jew knew this for a fact, and the executors of such judgement were the religious class of Jesus’ days. If they had chosen to immediately stone the woman to death instead of bringing her to Jesus, they would have achieved their desired outcome without facing any accusations. However, in an attempt to involve Jesus, they have brought the accused, who has already been condemned by the law, to seek guidance from Grace.
How would Grace handle such a matter, with evidences abounding and a crowd of witnesses far outnumbering the 2 or 3 witnesses required by the law? How would Grace treat the case of a woman who already feels condemned knowing that she was truly guilty as charged? What would Grace do to a terrible sinner who knows that on account of her sin, the only thing waiting for her was death? Truthfully, only a fraction of time stood between her and her grave. Men were all already fully armed with stones ready to hurl them at her. The law knew no mercy. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. But what would Grace say to an adulterous woman when everyone else says she deserves to die?
Rather than concentrate on the adulterous woman, Jesus focused on her accusers, “he that is without sin, let him cast the first stone”. This was a game changer. Her accusers were shocked. So also was the woman. We brought her to be condemned, why are we becoming the accused, they may have reasoned. Yes, that is exactly the way it is. Every time we drag people before the seat of judgement, our own lives come under scrutiny.
Grace stands in opposition to judgment and condemnation. Where the law says kill her, Grace says, let her live. Where the law says hold her bound, Grace says, daughter, thou art loosed. Unlike the law, Grace looks for every opportunity to set free and to give life.
Maybe, just like the woman caught in the very act, the entire world seems to be against you. Maybe the burden of shame and guilt weighs heavily on you, leading you to consider ending your life before your secrets are revealed. It’s possible that you’re currently surrounded by a multitude of condemning voices, relentlessly insisting that you deserved to be punished. But listen closely, and a little more closely. Grace is whispering something into your ears. Grace says, the whole world may have condemned you, but I do not condemn you. Grace says, don’t be intimidated by your accusers. They too have their own past. Yes, when Jesus challenged those without sin to cast the first stone, He was reminding us all that we too have our pasts.
Beloved, Jesus is beckoning on you. He is asking you to lift up your head. See, your accusers are all gone now. They have all dropped their weapons. Jesus too is saying to you, I do not condemn you either. There is only one person left in the equation now, and that is you. Will you accept the offer of pardon Jesus has offered you? Will you stop condemning yourself and embrace the grace that God has offered you? Will you seize this opportunity to take your life back from the hands of the executioners and start a new life in Christ. No matter how bad you think you have been, and no matter what weight of evidences lie against you, Jesus is saying to you today ” neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.
Remain Blessed,
Pastor Jerry Orhue
Senior Pastor, Gracevine Chapel
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