28^th January 

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. The Law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 

John 8:1-11 (NLT) 

In today’s passage, John tells of the account of the woman caught in adultery.

The story starts with Jesus teaching in the temple. As He was teaching the Pharisees and Scribes bring in a woman caught in the very act of adultery. This was fresh off the press. They threw her down at Jesus’ feet and then laid down the law. Interestingly they quote the Law of Moses to Jesus (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). They knew that Roman law prohibited the death sentence unless decided by a Roman court. So if Jesus let people stone her, then they could report Him for treason and get Jesus arrested. On the other hand they knew that if Jesus went against the Law of Moses (their law), then He would be classed as blasphemous or even at worst, a false prophet.

Yet Jesus in His wisdom and grace, turns to the crowd and says to them, ’sure you can stone her, feel free, but let the one without sin throw the first stone!’ Amazingly one by one they all left because no one was without sin and no one had the right to condemn. Well not everyone left. One person remained. Jesus. Why? Because He was the only one without sin. He had every right to stone her yet the words that come out of His mouth were words of acceptance, forgiveness and kindness. ‘I don’t condemn you either’.

Jesus did not come into this world to waggle a pointed finger at everyone who had broken the law and sinned. He knew no one could keep it. That is why He came: To live a sinless life, as an example to us and by doing so set us free from the law and the power of sin. Remember today that Jesus came to save you and not condemn you!

 “God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him!”