And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” -John 8:8-11 NRSV
Act three of this moving biblical drama begins when the first stone hits the ground. All of the stone throwers have left. The adulteress is now alone with Jesus. I wonder what emotions were flooding her mind? Just a few minutes ago she feared an imminent and painful death. In her wildest dreams she never imagined an ending such as this.
Do you find it interesting that this woman did not ask to be forgiven? I wonder if she prayed as she was being dragged to Jesus? What did she think Jesus would say? Could she have ever imagined that Jesus would look past every one of her condemning thoughts? This passage speaks so deeply to me about how I am forgiven and freed from condemnation.
Thank you Lord for the forgiving love that you show me and the condemnation that you have delivered me from.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
This account gives me hope and comfort.
ReplyDeleteMe too Fred.
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