“At dawn Jesus was in the temple courts, and all the people gathered around Him. When He began to teach, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law brought in a woman caught in the act of adultery and made her stand in front of the group. They said, ‘In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What do you say?'” (John 8:1-5)
These leaders used this question as a way to trap Jesus so they would have a way to accuse Him, but Jesus knew their intent. He bent down and started writing on the ground, but the men kept questioning Him. He stood up and said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” ( John 8:7). Again Jesus stooped down to write on the ground. This is the only time the Bible records that Jesus wrote anything. Do you wonder what He wrote? A clue might be found in Jeremiah 17: “Lord you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the Spring of Living Water.”
One by one the men went away, the older ones first. Do you wonder if they saw their names written in the dirt? Do you wonder what sin they might have been convicted of?
Only the woman was left with Jesus. He stood and asked her, “Woman where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus said. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
THINK ABOUT IT
Jesus brought about justice and righteousness to the woman. He showed her love, but He didn’t condone what she did. He didn’t condemn her but told her to leave her life of sin. That’s what He does for you and me too. Christians are citizens of Heaven, but live in this dark world. It is important for us to live as if we lived in Heaven even while we are on the earth. Will you join me in praying for justice and righteousness for others, that they might come to know God’s amazing love too?
PRAY ABOUT IT
Father God, we pray that you bring about justice and righteousness to this world, even now, so others will experience your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tell Me the Story 