She stood (or crouched down) accused. Condemned. Sentenced to death by the Pharisees. They stood at the ready with their stones to take her life as the law commanded. However, instead of just stoning her, they asked Jesus a question to test him. His response? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Stones fell. One-by-one the men dropped their stones and went away. The woman stood in front of only Jesus as he looked up at her.
Where are they? Has no one accused you?
No one, Lord.
Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.
(Storied-- John 7:53 - 8:11 **Note: There is considerable doubt that this story is part of John's original Gospel since it is absent from all of the oldest manuscripts. But there is nothing in it unworthy of sound doctrine. It sees best to view the story as something that probably happened during Jesus' ministry but that was not originally part of what John wrote in his Gospel. Therefore it should not be considered as part of Scripture and should not be used as the basis for building any pint of doctrine unless confirmed in Scripture. -- ESV Study Bible footnote)
GRACE UPON GRACE.
According to the law, this girl was dead. She should have been dead. Maybe, she wanted to be dead. However, Jesus, as He did repeatedly throughout His ministry, showed grace. This lady had done nothing to earn his favor. She had broken the law. She deserved death, according to the OT Law, and according to what we now know as Romans 6:23.
On the contrary, Jesus gave her the radical gift of grace. One of my favorite things about this story is the redemption found in Jesus' last statement.
Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.
Romans 8:1; Freedom. Not freedom to sin (go and sin no more), but freedom to live. Freedom to walk in grace. Freedom to walk in Christ's imputed righteousness onto all who trust Jesus as their Savior.
"It's not obedience that brings freedom; it's freedom that brings obedience." - Kasey Van Norman
I have been on both sides of this story.
I was the adulteress (not literally, but you know what I mean). I deserved death. I've looked Jesus in the eyes open and vulnerable exposed in my sin. I've stared down a harsh and unforgiving society. And, if I'm honest, there were moments where I wanted to face death instead of the consequences of my choices. However, PRAISE JESUS! I am the adulteress. I've looked into the eyes of Jesus as He called off my accusers. Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I have tasted His sweet sufficient grace. His power is made perfect in my weakness. I have been redeemed. I have been forgiven. I have been set free.
I have also held stones. Stones of bitterness, resentment, anger, accusal. How could they have hurt me so? How could this person have made so many choices that caused me pain? They deserve every bit of my bitterness, every bit of my attitude, every bit of my anger. I have heard Jesus' call-- Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. However, unlike the Pharisees, I've held tight to my stone. I will drop it when he/she apologizes. I will drop it when I feel "called to." I will drop it when... You see, the problem is... "when" was never going to come in my own strength. I wasn't willing to let go. Too much hurt. Too much pain. 10 years. That's a long time. I wrestled with everything in me against forgiveness. I would "drop the stone" (or say I did), yet pick the stone right back up at the next hurt or pain. Ready, aiming, longing to cast it to retaliate the pain I felt inside. You see, I held onto the stone because I had lost sight of my own plight. I lived like I attained my own freedom. I lived like I had never been the adulteress in need of grace. I lived like I earned the radical grace given to me. If the blood of Christ is sufficient to cover his/her transgressions against me and He can forgive this person, then who am I to cast a stone? Who am I to hold a grudge? Who am I to boldly proclaim that they must earn my forgiveness? As I was reminded of the unmerited grace lavished upon me through Christ, I was overcome with the loosening of my grip on the stone. With each reminder of His grace, His mercy, His faithfulness, the stone was loosened in my grip. Until, finally, it fell. And, as it fell, it shattered. No longer to be picked back up and aimed. What once was a gaping wound has been bandaged and is in the process of being healed. I have forgiven. I have been set free.
I think we all find ourselves in either of these roles at some point in our lives. The most important thing to remember is that Christ is at the center of it all. HIS Grace is sufficient. It's by HIS grace that we are forgiven and set free. It's in His strength that we find the strength to forgive. It's by His power, His love. It's by HIS wounds that we are healed. It is by His life, His death, His resurrection that we are set free.
Walk in that freedom. Let Christ set you free from the bondage of shame and unforgiveness. He's a chain breaker.
- Kayla
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