Day 134

1 Samuel 15:1–16:23; John 8:1-20; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 15:8-10

IN JOHN’S GOSPEL today, Jesus was teaching in the Temple complex in Jerusalem when the religious leaders put a humiliating test before Him. They had caught a woman in the act of adultery. In other words, they found a woman in bed, entangled with someone other than her husband, and dragged her off. They thrust her before Jesus —probably naked —to entrap Him.

“‘Teacher,’ they said to Jesus, ‘this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?’” (John 8:4-5).

Jesus stooped down, and began writing in the dust. As He wrote, the crowd waited. When the religious leaders pressed Him for an answer, Jesus stood.

“All right,” He said, “but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then He stooped down again and wrote in the dust (John 8:7-8).

Slowly, the accusers dispersed. Jesus stood to face to the woman, joining her in her humiliation.

“Where are your accusers?” Jesus asked. “Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“‘No, Lord,’ she said.

“And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more’” (John 8:10-11).

The story is remarkably beautiful and has given hope for thousands of years. We are all the woman in this story in one way or another —we all have done things that deserve judgment. Ironically, we embrace the story for ourselves, claiming the grace given to the woman while often playing the role of the religious accusers toward others. All too often, we are willing to drag our brothers and sisters who have fallen in one way or another toward their judgment, while completely excusing our own shortcomings. Jesus didn’t do that. He entered this woman’s humiliation and set her free.

To be Christlike requires that we stop being merciful to ourselves while judging others. Jesus did not condemn the woman in this story. He acknowledged her and called her forward into a better life. May we remember that the words “Go and sin no more” do not apply only to us and our particular shortcomings. These words apply to everyone. The only one able to cast the first stone in this story was Jesus —He was the only one without sin. And He didn’t. We must do the same if we want to be like Jesus.

MEDITATION:

What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.