In our reading today, this unnamed woman’s life was tarnished with Sin being caught in the very act of adultery and was guilty before the Lord and the world. She was certainly humiliated by the public accusation and disclosure of her sin as this woman was brought in by the religious leaders to Jesus.  Her life was marred with Shame caused by sin. Her accusers were absolutely correct- this woman was guilty and thus there was a Sentence she deserved according to the Law- she deserved to die (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22).  Here is an “a Condemned Sinner!” But in their effort to humiliate this woman as well as discredit the Lord, they brought her to the best place, to the very Man who could deal with her Sin, Shame and Sentence.    

How does Jesus deal with this situation? Jesus tells the woman to stop sinning as the encounter points to her to walk in His light. He does not excuse her sin as many in our day do, by putting it down to a difficult childhood or an abusive husband. He doesn't ask who the man was with whom she was committing adultery, so the punishment would be fair. He doesn't call what the woman did a ‘personal choice.’  Jesus does not justify the sin that is so dominant in any current culture. Instead, Jesus identifies her actions as sinful.  

In the text, John points to two different voices that speak to our situation in life— critics and Christ.  The voice of the critic seeks to condemn you by exploiting and exposing all your failures. In contrast, the voice of Christ confronts your sin with love and provides a better way to live. To which voice are you listening?  

The Bible says, “we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).  How do we respond to our sin?  First, we should admit our sinful condition before a holy God.  Second, we should acknowledge the consequences that sin is destructive. Third, we need to accept the compassion offered by Christ. Jesus is the Savior who rescues us from our sin! The only One with the power and authority to condemn declared that He would not condemn her, but He extended a holy compassion to her.  This compassion was not a free pass to continue in her previous lifestyle but to give her a new life and to walk in the light of Jesus Christ.

Jesus faced her – Christ the Rock stood up and faced this sinful woman when the last stone from the accusers had fallen to the ground.  He is the only One was who qualified to take up the first stone. When she faced Jesus, she was facing the ultimate judge!

Jesus forgave her –He dealt with her on the basis of grace. Jesus saw someone worthy of His love and Salvation. When she came to Jesus, she received A New Lord, by her simple confession (Rom 10:9). Thus she received A New Life.

Jesus honoured her - Jesus called her “Woman” (John 8:10). He only used this term twice in the Gospel of John. Both times it was a title of honor which applied to His mother Mary (John 2 &19) It would be equivalent to the term “Lady.” It was a title given to a woman worthy of honor. This sinful woman was far from being called “Woman” Jesus took a sinful, godless, carnal person and turned her into a lady! That is the transforming grace of Christ!

Friend, life doesn’t have to remain the same for you. It can be better and it can be new if you will come to Jesus Christ!

 

To Act On:

"If you will confess your sins,

(the Lord Jesus) is faithful and

righteous to forgive us and to cleanse

us for all unrighteousness"

-1 John 1:9