"Neither Do I"

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (John 8:2-5).

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She had been caught by the worst of the worst- the hypocritical, the arrogant, the Pharisees. Brought to stand before Him- before them. Her sin exposed and flaunted. Her shame before the Jesus followers and Jesus himself.

Was she scared of His reply?

Did she know He was full of grace?

Do we know?

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

They were caught.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more (John 8:10-11).

She caught a glimmer of His grace- the mercy. Her response?  "Lord".

Can you imagine the awe in her voice. No one, Lord. Her shame gone in the presence of her Lord. The realization: Neither do I condemn you. The weight of a leveled playing field: let him who is without sin...be the first...to throw.

Consider yourself in His presence, friends. You are. I am. We are exposed. Our sin flaunted in His presence. Bare. Consider the playing field level.

Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.

Be in awe.

We don't know what happened, but I can imagine she fell at Her very real Saviour's feet and worshiped.

Can we do any less?

In His Name,
Jennifer