Go and Sin No More

John 8:1-19

This is the story of the woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus.  First of all, I had never noticed before that at this time, Jesus was teaching a crowd in the temple.  Then, an angry mob bursts in dragging the woman caught in adultery and interrupts the teaching.  I have often wondered why only the women was brought in.  Doesn't take two to tango?  Well, when reading the Life Application Bible, I realized the Pharisees were breaking Moses' law themselves.  They were trying to get Jesus to break Moses' law, but they were doing it themselves.  Maybe that's what Jesus was writing in the dirt.  We will never know.  The law of Moses stated that both parties in an adulterous relationship were to be stoned.  Why did they not bring the man?  This weekend I am at an event celebrating strong women.  I find it interesting that in this passage the man involved was not mentioned.  But the good news is Jesus offered compassion and forgiveness to the woman in front of Him.  May I always remember that no matter how the world treats people because of race, religion, gender, disability, or other differences, Jesus sees the person.  He loves the person and treats everyone with dignity and respect.  May we all do the same.  May we first show love and kindness and respect to everyone and lead them to Jesus, who also loves everyone.

But, no one was willing to throw the first stone and say they were without sin.  Because no one was without sin and they knew God knew the truth.  We should learn a lesson from this.  None of us should condemn others, because we are not without sin ourselves.  We should reach others with love and compassion.  Condemnation should never be our response.  Notice Jesus' response here.  He said, "Well, I do not condemn you either; all I ask is that you go and from now on avoid the sins that plague you."  He did not offer condemnation.  He offered forgiveness.  But, He expected a change in behavior.  "Go and sin no more."  When we are offered forgiveness and grace, we should have a change in behavior.  We should not continue the sinful behavior.

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Thanksgiving for today
628.  Kindness
629.  Ability to share with strangers
630.  Strangers willing to take a few minutes to listen
631.  Strangers willing to share their heart
632.  Passion
633.  Open discussions
634.  Willingness to handle differences with respect
635.  Love and support
636.  Strong women in wheelchairs
637.  Sleep