Where is the guy? Did you ever wonder where the man was? The last time I checked, adultery involved two people. I think it was part of the teachers’ plot to trick Jesus. After all, the law of Moses would have condemned both the man and the woman. Jesus didn’t respond right away but started drawing in the dust. I’ve always wondered what that was about. Was it his way of ignoring them, to rile them just a bit more before making his declaration?
So what did Jesus do? He told them to go ahead with the stoning. But, yes there is a very big “but.” Only those who were without sin could throw the first stone. All eyes were on the religious leaders. Would they risk throwing a stone, whereby claiming to be sinless? None of us can claim to be sinless. We may try hard to be the best we can be, but sin is inevitable.
That’s why forgiveness and grace are so important. That is why Jesus came in the first place. He didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus was modeling this for us. When others sin against us, what do we do? Do we condemn them or forgive them?
Is forgiveness is a bit of a slippery slope? Many people would say that to forgive is to condone or even forget. Not at all! We don’t have to accept their behavior, we only need to let go of how it’s controlling us. I have learned over time that the perpetrator of the sin against us may even be unaware of how they have hurt us. If we are able to put ourselves in their position for just a bit, we may realize the hurtful behavior had a root cause that had nothing to do with us, or even them. Sin can infect us when we let our guard down.
Jesus’ words to the woman when they looked around and found no more accusers, “Go and sin no more.” Imagine how she felt. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. In one moment she was in the arms of her lover, the next being dragged across the temple floor. She feared for her life, and then in the blink of an eye, she was free. Do you think she ever returned to that sinful behavior?
It can be hard to break a cycle of sinfulness. But after this experience, I’m sure the woman had the wake-up call she needed to get her act together. I’m not saying she never sinned again, period, but I’m sure she walked away as a changed person.
How about you? Are you caught in a trap of sinfulness that you’d like to break free from? You can with Jesus’ help. He can help restore you as well. It will be a little less dramatic than the experience of the woman, but do ask him.
Let’s pray. Father God, forgive me when I lose my way and let sinful behaviors infiltrate. I pray, too, for the wisdom and strength to forgive those who have wronged me. May I see them with your eyes and feel the compassion and love you do. That may be hard for some of them, but I know you are filling me with your power. Watch my steps today that I might be on the path you have designed for me. May I be a blessing to those I encounter. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
