John 8:9-11 - Lesson #83

The Pharisees thought they had conceived the perfect trap. They brought a woman caught in adultery and asked Jesus what should be done. They thought He would be condemned no matter how He responded. But after spending some time writing in the dirt Jesus said, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first" (John 8:7). He then returned to writing and let the accusers ponder His words.

John 8:9-11
"Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'"

Without insult or anger, Jesus had caused the accusers to examine their own heart and wrestle with their own sin. As each one considered what he saw buried deep inside, he was convicted and realized his hypocrisy. It's quite revealing that the older ones were the first to leave.

One of the unfortunate realities of growing older is that we have more sin we remember. I know my sins have all been forgiven, but each year (dare I say each day?) I have an increased list of the times I've fallen short of reflecting the character of God. So many words which I should not have spoken, so many times of silence when I should have opened my mouth to speak, so many times I acted without grace.

When Jesus rose, only the woman remained. There was no one left to restrain her. She could have departed with the others. But she stood before Jesus with no defense, with her spiritual need and sinful behavior fully exposed. She knew she was guilty. So why did she stay? Perhaps she knew more about Jesus than what we're told. It's doubtful she saw Jesus as the Son of God, but she was certainly drawn to His God-like compassion; "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).

It's difficult to read too much into the words Jesus spoke to this woman. His lack of condemnation does not necessarily mean Salvation, He didn't come to condemn; "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17). Jesus spoke gentle, without condemnation, and yet spoke directly to the sin which was destroying this woman's life, "go and sin no more."

Perhaps it would do us all some good to remember our sin which has been forgiven, and perhaps the sin which continues to be forgiven each day. Perhaps a clearer picture of the grace we've been given would help us show more compassion and extend more grace to others.