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Neither Do I Condemn Thee

How does God really feel about us.  I mean, after all – we’re weak and fallen creatures prone to make mistakes.  It seems to be a part of our fallen nature to be ungrateful and forgetful of all that He’s done for us.  So with all of this, what are His feelings towards us, His unworthy children?  

It was early in the morning.  The Savior had come to the Temple to teach.  A crowd had gathered to listen to Him, when suddenly they were interrupted by a commotion.  A group of men, scribes and Pharisees, approached the Savior dragging a woman in obvious distress.  They placed her in the midst of the group, and with a certain arrogance declared:

“… Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned:  but, what sayest thou?” (John 8:4-5)

It was a trap, an ugly ill-conceived trap.  If He said, ‘stone her,’ he would incur the wrath of the Romans who ruled Jerusalem, and He would also be contradicting His own teachings about forgiveness, love, and a higher law.  On the other hand, if He said, ‘release her; let her go,’ He would appear to be contradicting Moses, the revered lawgiver of Israel, and He would thereby incur the wrath of the people.  The accusation they were leveling against the woman was insensitive and illegal, and simply a means to accuse Him. They had no right nor authority under Moses’ law to do as they did.  But they didn’t care.  They had Him.  

For a moment, step back and consider the woman.  There was evidently no doubt of what she had done.  But did she deserve this?  I can imagine her broken in spirit, disheveled, and weeping at the public humiliation she was being forced to endure by evil men.

To the surprise of the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus didn’t answer.  He ignored them, stooped down, and began writing on the cobblestones of the temple court.  In so doing, He drew all attention from the woman to Him.  Her accusers gathered around Him and pressed for an answer.  Finally, He raised Himself up and said:

“… He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)  

His meaning is crystal clear – He that is without this same sin, adultery, among you, go ahead and stone her.   Convicted by their own guilty consciences, each slunk off, in order from oldest to youngest, leaving only the woman.  Jesus raised Himself up again, and seeing none but the woman he asked:

“… Woman, Where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?”

“ … No man, Lord,” she said. (John 8:10-11)

I love His answer:

 “… Neither do I condemn thee:  go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11) 

The woman was converted by the Lord’s love from that hour. 

It is a law of heaven that those quick to judge harshly will be so judged. We have no right nor sight to rightly find fault, blame, accuse, and criticize others unless authorized by God—judges in Israel. Be careful finding fault with others whether living or dead. Jesus, on the other hand, had every right to judge, accuse, and condemn the woman, but He did not. He demonstrated mercy and compassion. He justly could have condemned her, but instead He encouraged her. As should we to every neighbor we chance to meet.   

Source:

John 8