5/16/10- John 8:1-11

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

There is so much here.  Christ does not condemn here though some religious people do.  He gives this lady a second chance.  Yet, he also acknowledged adultery was wrong and she was caught in adultery.  He said,  "Go and sin no more."  He thus called adultery a sin, and that it was possible for her to escape it.  He saved her life, and he wanted to save her soul.  Similarly, he did not alienate the woman at the well, but sought to talk to her (Jn. 4), show her love, and lead her and those around her to God.  Sometimes Jesus told demoniacs after he exorcised them to be careful lest seven other devils take their place.  He would tell those whom he healed to go and not sin again.  Jesus was for helping people, but he also was for our straightening our lives out.  

Prayer:  Thank you for your grace, and your giving me another chance this day, Lord.  Help me to live it for you.