When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” – John 8: 10
A woman was brought to Jesus and literally thrown at his feet. The men who cast her to Christ asserted that she had been caught in the very act of adultery. How they caught her and why they did not also bring the man with whom she was caught will always remain a mystery.
Nevertheless, it is clear that these men really cared less about the woman than they did about catching Jesus in a religious bind. How was He going to handle such a situation where the Law of Moses clearly proscribed her death by stoning? Since, they brought this case to Judge Jesus, he considered it, stooped and wrote his ruling in the sand. (Exactly what He wrote will also remain a mystery.) Suffice it to say, that after He stood up, He apparently summarized His opinion by saying: “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” Upon hearing this, one by one the men dropped their ready rocks and walked away. Once they were all gone, Jesus asked the woman: “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? She said, “No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Please do not miss these points about this incident.
- The guilt of the woman was undisputed by the men, the woman and Jesus.
- The men who brought her, if not guilty of the same sin, were also guilty of some sin.
- The fact that Jesus did not condemn the woman did not mean that He condoned or encouraged her behavior.
- At the feet of Jesus, a repentant heart will always find forgiveness.
- The lack of condemnation of Christ is not a license to continue in sin. Its graciousness gives a person reason to go and sin no more.