NO CONDEMNATION!

Thursday, July 9, 2020

NO CONDEMNATION!

John 8:10-11

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

           The Temple! What a place to have your sins discovered! Yet it was in this hallowed place that the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery. How horrifying would it be if we too were to have our most secret acts discovered?

           The Law prescribed death by stoning which was a slow and torturous way to die. It was corporate punishment in which everyone took up at least one stone to hurl at the guilty. In such a manner was sin put away from the people. This was a strong deterrent to those who would sin. Although the Law had been mostly ignored, at least in the punishment of it, the Pharisees wanted to know if Jesus would uphold the Law. If He did, they could accuse him of being harsh! If He did not, they could accuse him of disrespecting the Law.

           The Woman! As far as we can tell, this woman was not a prostitute but rather a cheating wife. It is clear that she was entangled in a trap that had more to do with trapping Jesus than trapping her.

           The Lord chose neither to prosecute the law or to ignore it but to apply forgiveness. We would really like to know what He wrote on the ground! Those standing around with stones were likewise guilty in this drama. They had planned this and brought her to Jesus – but where was the man? The Law prescribed stoning for both guilty parties!

           The verdict was guilty, but Jesus said that there would be no condemnation! No stones would come crashing down upon her skull. This does not mean that Jesus condoned her sin. He chose not to condemn her. It was an act of grace but required repentance! He did not say “go and keep on sinning” but rather “go and sin no more!”

Rom 8:1

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Dear Lord, we are guilty, trapped, and caught in the act! Nothing escapes your gaze. We are forgiven – if we would only receive that forgiveness! We have both an opportunity and an obligation to go and sin no more. Thank you for your marvelous mercy. AMEN