Forgiveness- but Leaving Sin

 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, “Let any one of you who is without sin 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.” (John 8)

Thoughts:  The Pharisees did not really want to listen to what Jesus said.  They wanted to trap Jesus.  But they ended up listening to Jesus anyway.  They listened to Him because their personal guilt at being judgmental and being sinners overwhelmed them.  We do not know what Jesus wrote on the ground.  Perhaps it was that all sin.  That Jesus wrote something indicates he was literate (contra some skeptics).  They ended up listening to Jesus and melting away in their judgmentalism.  The woman also listened to Jesus.  He asked her if they were able to condemn her- and she answered they could not.  Then he told her he did not condemn her- but forgave her.  Then he told her to go- but also told her to not sin anymore.  Jesus forgives us when we mess up.  But part of that is a recognition that we have indeed messed up and we shouldn't mess up again.  Too many stop only at the part where Jesus tells the woman, "Neither do I condemn you."  But Jesus also said to go and sin no more.  Lent is a great time to listen to these words.  Faithful listening to Jesus means trying to please Him.  Adultery is not the only sin- so no one could condemn her.  Yet it is indeed a sin- and should be left. 

Prayer: Lord. Give me grace to embrace your forgiveness- but also give me grace to leave my sin out of love for you.