A Woman Caught In Adultery
– Ponderings:

We can be quick to judge other people based on what we see or hear. Judging others must be a human trait since it was an issue Jesus spoke about 2,000 years ago. Jesus wanted his followers to seek to speak more slowly, listen more deeply, judge less often, and forgive always. That’s no small task!
John 8 tells the story of a woman caught in adultery. “They said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What do you say?’ … Jesus said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ When they heard it, they went away, one by one, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus said to her … ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’”
Jesus never says that the woman was innocent or that her actions were right. The woman was in the wrong. But those who brought her to Jesus weren’t seeking justice; they wanted to use her to “score” a point, They were acting from their own sense of superiority and belief that they were more righteous. What Jesus said, though, shut them up immediately: “Whoever is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” Jesus’ words remind us that we must be careful when we’re inclined to claim the moral high ground for ourselves or speak for Jesus. None of us are free of sin. When I speak out about another’s failures or shortcomings, I overlook my own. I may want to say your sin is worse than mine, but in God’s eyes all sin has the same impact – it separates us from God.
Notice Jesus doesn’t say that sin doesn’t matter. He tells the woman to, “Go and sin no more.” Of course, she will sin in the future as we all do, but she will have the memory that her sin – no matter how bad – can be forgiven. The Bible defines sin as those things we do or say that damage our relationship with God. That’s why my focus needs to be on me, and why I need to repent more, ask for forgiveness often, and give thanks for the love and grace of God for me. And, when it comes to the sins of others, I need to be more understanding and loving and share the grace of God I have received in my own life. What do you think?