DAY 71 of #100daysofJesus - Go and Sin No More

 DAY 71 of #100daysofJesus

One day while Jesus taught in the temple, a group of scribes and Pharisees came to Him hoping to ensnare Him in a devious plan.

They brought with them a "woman taken in adultery, in the very act." She seemed to be unquestionably guilty. They posed the question to Jesus:

"Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?"

If Jesus replied that she should be stoned according to the law, He would be suggesting the violation of Roman law, which forbade the Jews from inflicting capital punishment. Adultery was not even a capital offense under Roman law.

On the other hand, if Jesus suggested a light punishment, or none at all, he would be blatantly disrespecting the Law of Moses, which was clear about the consequences or such sin.

At first Jesus ignored them, writing on the ground with his finger "as though he heard them not." Yet they persisted, eager for His response and cause to convict Him.

Jesus then answered, consistent with the Law of Moses, this profound statement: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

The scribes and Pharisees went away disappointed:

"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one...and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."

It's an interesting story to this point, but what happens next is life-changingly powerful.

Jesus sees that He is now alone with the adulteress and asks her, "where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"

The woman replies, "No man, Lord."

"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

James Talmage explains the exchange this way:

"The woman was repentant; she remained humbly awaiting the Master’s decision, even after her accusers had gone. Jesus did not expressly condone; He declined to condemn; but He sent the sinner away with a solemn adjuration to a better life."

I'm reminded of the beautiful verse penned by John: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

Jesus' purpose and role is not to condemn us for our sins. It saddens me that many people avoid Jesus solely because of their own guilt and even shame. Their shame prevents them from worship at church, personal study, and even prayer. This is based on a misunderstanding of Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not come for the perfect (hint: there are no perfect); but rather, He came for the sinful (hint: that's all of us) to offer us salvation through second chances.

This poor woman must have been terrified, full of shame, and expecting the worst (death by stoning). But lucky for her, she was brought to Jesus, who is a God of compassion and a God of second chances.

The words He spoke to her are the same that He speaks to you and me: "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

I hope that our mistakes can turn us towards Jesus for healing and second chances rather than away from Him in shame. It really is His pleasure to offer healing and to give us as many second chances as it takes before we become like Him (for me, that's a lot!).

This is a miracle Jesus offers the world, offers to each of us individually.

Let Jesus help you change, help you grow. Trust Jesus.

(John 3:17, John 8:1-11, Jesus the Christ by James Talmage (ch. 25))