Day 218/260: Read John 8

“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” This statement of Jesus is often used by those who are engaged in open sin, rebelling against the authority of God and daring anyone to call them out. Look a little deeper at the incident, though, and you’ll see there is much more to it.

The woman was “caught in adultery.” The scribes and Pharisees that brought her to Jesus said that she was caught “in the very act.” I can’t help but wonder why the man was not also brought to the Lord.

The scribes and Pharisees appealed to the Law of Moses for punishment, citing the command to stone those who were guilty of the sin of adultery. Jesus refused to answer them, so they asked again, and finally He said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

Perhaps they were bearing false witness, or had entrapped this woman. Or perhaps they came to realize that God desires repentance rather than retribution. Whatever the case, they understood that they were not without guilt themselves.

Then notice Jesus’ words to the woman. He did not pass final judgment on her, but neither did He condone her actions. He told her, “Go and sin no more.” The intention of pointing out sin should not be to embarrass or belittle another, but to bring them back to the truth so that they may “sin no more.”

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

John 8:31. Then Jesus said to those Jews who ________________ Him, “If you ________________ in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”

Pray

Pray for those who have given in to temptation, and encourage them to make their life right with the Lord.