August 11, 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of John 8:11-John 8:3,4,11And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
From the above context we see that a group of scribes and Pharisees confronts Jesus, interrupting his teaching session. They bring in a woman, accusing her of committing adultery, claiming she was caught in the very act. They ask Jesus whether the punishment for someone like her should be stoning, as prescribed by Mosaic Law.
One day early in the morning when Jesus came into the temple, all the people gathered unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they said unto him, “ Master, this woman was caught red handed in the act of adultery,”’ and they argued with Jesus about the law of Moses. They said”’ Did not Moses command us, that such person should be stoned to death. They inquired of him as to what, he has to say in this regard? This they said, tempting him, that they might have a chance to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he did not hear them.
So when they continued asking him, again and again then he stood up himself, and said unto them, “ He that is without any sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her. After saying this, He again stooped down, and wrote on the ground. Jesus challenged her attackers, pointing out that they weren’t really good in any way. Even though the law calls for the death of both guilty parties, the woman was the only one who was being accused of wrong doing. Jesus pointed these things out, by writing in the dirt. And they which heard him speak, were convicted by their own conscience, and hence went out one by one, beginning from the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman was standing in the midst. All the men who accused her of committing adultery had disappeared as none of them were perfect.
And thus Jesus had driven off every single one of the men who called for her death. Jesus does not tell the woman, “you did nothing wrong.” He does not say, “don’t worry about what you did.” Instead, Jesus simply states that He does not condemn her. Jesus showed this woman spectacular grace, while still holding firm in calling her adultery what it was: a moral failure which should not be repeated.
And When Jesus had lifted up himself, he saw none but the woman alone standing in shame and humiliation. Jesus said unto her, Woman, where are those who accused you ? Has no man condemned you? She said quietly “ No man, Lord. ”And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn you : go, and sin no more. ‘’”Thus we see that neither Jesus rebuked her for her sinful act, neither did he punish her. Instead He gave her another opportunity for her to live a better life in the future. This incident serves as a useful example for Christians. The adulterous woman was morally and legally guilty while Jesus remains perfect. No one on earth had greater justification to kill her, for her sin than Jesus did in that moment. And yet, Jesus chose not to kill her.
thus we see that Our God is a God of compassion. He cares for us. He is mindful of us. He always prefers that we live an exemplary life. God says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health just as your soul prospers.” He tells us that we will prosper if our soul prospers, that is to be in tune with God, walk spiritually and not be worldly. When we have a close relationship with God then we will surely prosper. We shall be like the tree planted by the rivers of water. That brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf shall not wither and whatever he doeth shall prosper. A life of prosperity.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord we thank You for being gracious to the woman who had committed sin. You did not kill her according to the law of Moses. But You forgave her. We remain grateful to You for giving her another opportunity to live a better life in the future. We are so impressed by the way You dealt or challenged the scribes and Pharisees. We praise Your glorious name O Lord.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
