Day 7: Caught in the Act
Read: John 8:2-11
Today we look at one of many unnamed people whose stories are preserved in scripture. Most who are familiar with God’s word know this woman as “the one caught in adultery.” Not a great way to be known for thousands of years. But her story is riddled with lessons and application so we’re going to stop on our journey and watch it unfold.
It’s dawn and Jesus had just sat down in the temple courts to teach. No doubt the place was packed. It always was when Jesus taught. I can almost hear the rumblings of people and I can see them part as a group of religious leaders marched through dragging this woman they caught in adultery.
As usual, their motives were not at all sincere. They didn’t love or even care about this woman. She was being used as they attempted to trap Jesus. Again.
Put yourself in her shoes for a moment. She was caught in a sin which, under Old Testament Law, required her to be stoned (Deuteronomy 22:22). She was dragged through the streets to the Mount of Olives. Her private sin was publicly exposed. She was humiliated. I imagine she hung her head, her eyes never looking at the crowd.
Are you as beleaguered with questions as I am? How exactly did it happen that she was caught in the act? Where is the man with whom she committed adultery? Why wasn’t he brought out and publicly exposed?
As masterfully as Jesus always did, he approached their question in a way that put the spotlight back on them. There is a lot of speculation as to what he wrote on the ground and while it would be nice to know, ultimately it doesn’t matter. What scripture does tell us is powerful without further details. “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” He bent back down, continuing to write.
The oldest among them walked away first. They had lived enough life to know they weren’t without sin. Then the next one departed. And another one. And another, until only Jesus was left and the woman stood alone. He stood up and with great tenderness and concern, he engaged her in conversation.
Let’s not make the mistake of thinking he ignored or condoned her sin. He absolutely did not. He saw this woman, sin and shame included. He extended forgiveness in place of condemnation. It came with a command, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
I have a hunch she did that very thing and I think one day we will know the name of this woman.
As we walk away from this scene, we continue down the road with much to talk about. Are you like the religious leaders looking to catch people in their sin? Waiting to pounce at every mistake? Are you like the woman, caught in sin, embarrassed, humiliated and alone? Let’s be honest and admit both sides are equally sinful. The remedy for both is the same—an encounter with Jesus.
Customize the prayer below as it relates to you.
Prayer: God, I’m just like the religious leaders, always condemning others for their sin and judging their actions and motives. (Or God, I’m like the adulterous woman. I’ve been caught in my sin.) I confess my sin and know it’s detestable to you. I know it cost your life. I want to be as willing and ready to forgive others, and myself, as readily as you do. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and take away my desire to condemn others for their sin.