April 15, 2021
Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:10-11
The religious leaders bring this woman to Jesus and report that she was caught in the act of adultery. But where is her partner who committed adultery? Knowing that the Pharisees were trying to discredit Jesus over the application of the Mosaic Law, this was solely a setup at the expense of this woman’s life.
Thankfully, Jesus foils their trap by declaring: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (verse 7). He proceeds to write in the sand (perhaps the sins of her accusers), and one by one they leave. He then turns to the woman and speaks words of grace and truth: you are not condemned; now live a life free of bondage to sin.
Grace and truth—John tells us that Jesus came into the world full of grace and truth (John 1:14). You cannot have one without the other. Truth without grace condemns. Grace without truth is counterfeit and unloving because it leaves us trapped in our sins.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
Leave a Reply