The Woman Caught In Adultery – Jesus’ Forgiveness
The Story of the woman caught in adultery is one of the most famous in the Bible. It is a marvelous example of Jesus’ forgiveness. James explains how we too, can experience forgiveness.
The Woman Caught In Adultery
Here she was rudely tossed on the ground like a sack of potatoes. Her life was about to end. They had picked up big ugly jagged rocks as they dragged here. They were waiting to stone her, but first they were going to use her one more time to trap some guy called Jesus.
As she lay there on the ground, sore from the night’s activities, the men hadn’t been especially gentle with her that night, she started to think about how had she gotten here. Maybe she remembered as a little girl dancing with her daddy, or maybe she remembered cooking with her mommy, and that first taste as she licked the bowl. Or perhaps all she remembered were the word harsh cruel words that her father screamed at her, coming home drunk beating her up, and beating up her mother. Or maybe it was her uncle or one of the many men that her mother had over who yelled at her, called her names, and abused her. She thought back to the dreams she had as a little girl, dreams of a man who would hold her tight, of a man who would look at her with love in his eyes, of a man who would tell her that she was special. But now that wasn’t going to happen her life was nearly over.
Jesus Approaches
Wretched, filthy, bruised and tired she lay there weeping. Then she noticed something – this ‘Jesus” was kneeling down on the ground in front of her, writing something – wait was that her name… He knew her name … how was that possible? Nobody had called her by her name for many years. He was still writing – through tear stained eyes she saw him write – I created you, I knit you together in your mother’s womb, you are my special daughter, I love you.
Then there was silence … you couldn’t even hear the birds singing, or the bushes rustling in the wind. This was it – she knew her life was over. She braced herself in anticipation of the first stone hitting her, still silently crying. Then she heard a stone fall on the ground, and a moment later another, then another. She didn’t dare look up, as she did not want to see the stones hitting her.
If only she knew, if only she realized that these men had unwittingly done her the greatest favor anybody had ever done for her – they had brought her and dumped her at the feet of the Son of God. They had brought her to the one person who could offer hope. She was lying on the ground before the one person who offered a real alternative to death. Here was the one and only person who could offer her a way out of her situation.
Where Are Your Accusers?
As she lay on the ground, in the silence she realized that she was all alone with this man called ‘Jesus’. She felt his hand, ever so softly on her shoulder. Looking up through tear stained eyes she saw his eyes gazing at her. Eyes full of compassion, eyes full of love. There was a smile on his face as he looked at her. He softly called her name. Could it be? Is it possible? She wondered – could her dream actually come true? Was there somebody who would tell her that she is special, that she is loved? Those words he said to her – ‘Where are your accusers?’ She looked around – there was no one else there. Jesus took his hand off her shoulder and held out his hand. Gingerly, tentatively she took his hand and he helped her to her feet. And as she stood she felt the weight of her guilt and shame fall off her shoulders. She felt the pain of the bruises, the emotional pain of the words leave her, and she heard again the words she had longed to hear all her life – “My special daughter, I love you”. Looking into his eyes, she saw the love he had for her, and heard her say words that she never thought she would ever hear. “Neither do I condemn you”. Joy filled her soul realizing that there was someone who didn’t condemn her, there was someone who loved her. Then he spoke again ‘Go and sin no more’. Filled with hope a smile crept across her face – there was a way out of her situation – the way of love, the way of forgiveness, the way of grace, the way of mercy.
Healed and Forgiven
Healed mentally, healed physically, healed emotionally, forgiven, filled with hope, having met her Creator and her Savior, having met God, she began this new day with a smile on her face and joy in her heart.
When you find yourself trapped in sin, come to Jesus. When the glaringly sinful behavior and subtle sinful attitudes of those around you at work starts to rub off on your life, fall at the feet of Jesus. Look full on his wonderful face, and see his tender smile. See the love God has for you. Look at his nail pierced hands and feet – there you will find hope. Take his out-stretched hand, offering you forgiveness. As he helps you stand again, feel his healing power take away the emotional pain and heavy burden you are carrying. His cleansing blood will wash away your guilt and shame. Listen carefully, and you will hear him say “My special child, I love you, I do not condemn you. I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Jesus’ Forgiveness
You are forgiven. You are not condemned. At the cross God’s mercy for you and God’s justice met. When Jesus died on the cross, he bore the punishment for every single one of your sins. He also conquered the power of sin in your heart. Stop listening to the lies of the devil. Accept the amazing grace of our risen Lord, confess to him your sins, and then move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit having left those habitual sins at the foot of the cross. You are part of a kingdom of priests to serve God right where you work and live. With Christ at your side, walk in the way of love, the way of forgiveness, the way of grace, the way of mercy. Go on your way with a smile on your face, with joy in your heart and hope for tomorrow.
James Bruyn
James Bruyn is a bi-vocational visionary leader, writer and speaker who enjoys helping individuals integrate their faith in God with their daily life. James leads a ministry to Christians in the marketplace in Calgary, provides leadership coaching, and consults for the rail industry. James produces Marketplace Ministry for our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio.
James is passionate about connecting the rich promises of our loving Heavenly Father that we find in the Bible, with the joys and challenges of living out our faith in the workplace. James writes a weekly devotional at marketplace-ministry.ca/blog
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Images Courtesy Of:
The Woman Caught in Adultery – Vasily Polenov
Stones – carloroberto9
Accuser – Public Domain
Forgiveness – BenteBoe
Hogan Bassey says
Indeed God’s love is true and eternal, am move be His words this morning
Ray Marshall says
Hi Hogan. We are glad that you are moved by His words. We pray that you will continue to be blessed.