We wrapped up last week with Jesus attending the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem, and in the midst of the 75 ft. candlesticks, He addressed the crowd:  

“I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

On this night, the last night of the Feast, Jesus extended an invitation to everyone (and to each of us as well) to come and drink of the living water that He would give them, and that if they would follow Him (ourselves included), they would never walk in spiritual darkness but have the light of life.  

After the Feast, Jesus left with His disciples for the Mount of Olives (just across the Kidron Valley, east of Jerusalem), and the following morning, Jesus began teaching again on the Temple steps. It was then that the religious leaders brought to Him a woman caught in adultery, and said to Jesus:

“Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do you say” (John 8:4-5)?

Of course, they were trying to find a reason to have Jesus arrested, hoping that He would speak against the Law of Moses and not condemn her. But Jesus turned the table on them, and after stooping to the ground and writing with His finger (John never mentioned what He wrote), He stood back up and said:

“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). 

Interestingly, Jesus stooped down again and wrote something else in the dirt. Could it be that he was thinking of what is recorded in the Book of James that, “mercy triumphs over justice” (James 2:13)? When they heard Jesus’ words:

“They began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman in the midst” (John 8:9).

The older ones first! Why? I’m pretty certain that the older ones quickly realized that living a life without sin in an impossibility. The younger ones, filled with pride over their zealous attempts to keep the Law, would not concede until they saw the older ones take the lead. And then Jesus stood up together with the woman, and said to her:

“Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you” (John 8:10)?

The woman replied that there was no one left to accuse or condemn her, to which Jesus replied: 

“Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on, sin no more” (John 8:11).

Notice, Jesus did not accuse her, but accepted her. He did not condemn her, but forgave her. And He did not reject her, but challenged her to begin living a life of righteousness. And, of course, He does the same with you and with me. Because of the blood He would later shed on the cross for all of our sins, He was able to forgive this woman, just as He is able to forgive us today. All we need to do is to ask Him. 

And that’s the missing link for so many people – theological agreement needs to be translated into personal acceptance. By saying from the heart, “Jesus, I have sinned and need Your forgiveness,” the Scriptures are clear that you will be forgiven and like the woman, receive an entirely new life. It’s never too late to do so.  

Peggy and I pray that you will enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend. God bless you all.