John 8:7-9 "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. (8) And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) 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."
John 8:11 "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her,
Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Scribes and Pharisees had brought this woman to Jesus. She had been caught in
the act of adultery. These men really had only one reason for this public
display and that was a constant attempt to try to find fault in Jesus. They
apparently forgot to bring the man also. As Jesus listened to these accusers,
he bent down and began writing something in the dirt. I have often wondered
what He was writing. Whatever it may have been, He got these men's attention
quickly.
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at
her." I wonder if He was writing the ten commandments, or if He was
listing specific sins that each of these men had committed. Whatever it was,
they became convicted in their own hearts and began to walk away. I notice
something very interesting in the manner of order that they walked away:
"beginning at the eldest, even unto the last." It seems, for me at
least, that I get a little wiser as I age. That isn't always the case, but I
try. When I was young in the ministry, I felt I had all the answers and
was so much brighter than those who had been softened by age. I had life all
figured out and would slip my thoughts into any conversation that I could
manage. As I have "seasoned", I understand the older men "got
the message" much quicker than the eager young Pharisees and
scribes. They all turned and walked away.
Now, Jesus will address the woman. He hasn't forgotten her. He is not condoning
what she did; but, it is apparent that she is standing before Him with a
repentant heart. "Where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned
thee?" She answered, "No man, Lord." Remember the past
accounts of Jesus' speaking: "Whether is easier to speak: Thy sins be
forgiven thee? or Rise up and walk?" When the officers came back without
Jesus, their response was, "Never has man spake as this man."
There is power in the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. I say this because
the next words spoken to this woman were absolutely life changing:
"Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Again, Jesus does not condone sin, but aren't you thankful that He forgives
sin? The Apostle Paul understood this great truth and wrote about
forgiveness on many occasions. "There is therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2) Jesus
has freed us from the bondage of sin and has given us the power through His Holy
Spirit to walk in liberty through His life. May God bless that we seek
that walk of blessed peace and joy in Christ Jesus.