Forgiveness

John 8:1-11 ESV

“They said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

The Pharisees had caught a woman in the act of adultery. In the Mosaic law, such a woman could be stoned to death if convicted. A trial had not ensued, so these Jewish leaders were acting prematurely. Much less the fact of proof or who the man was who had been partner to this crime. So, Jesus had to handle this situation with a different approach, His time had not come to be arrested and condemned to die, so He acted not with fire, but with mercy!

Jesus being God, but unknown to these religious leaders, handled this delicate situation with extreme wisdom. He said very little when He could have said much, but what He did say came with anointing. He spoke, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Judgement should begin with a self-examination. Who are we to judge, haven’t we been given mercy and grace when we did not deserve it? So, it should be when we feel judgment arise in our hearts and minds, we should examine what God did for us, and forgive as we have been forgiven?

Prayer:

Lord, never let us stand in judgment, but help us to be ready and willing to forgive and restore those who are hurting from sin. Teach us to be like You, hate the sin, but love the sinner. Teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!