John 8:1
Early in the morning, Jesus went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them. The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”
They said this to test Jesus, to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger. When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” And again, He bent down and wrote on the ground.
No Condemnation
When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there. Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, Lord,” she answered.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”
The dust settled around her; she found herself standing alone with Jesus. Now, she was alone; the crowd had dispersed, their rocks left behind on the ground. She trembled, unsure what to expect from this man.
Jesus spoke to her, soothing the moment and her troubled soul. “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
Fearfully, she whispered, “No one, Lord.” Jesus replied, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Fresh Start
His words washed over her like a cleansing rain, lifting the weight of guilt and shame from her shoulders. She had been given a second chance, a fresh start.
As she walked away from that place, her steps lighter than they had been in years, she made a silent vow to herself: She would not squander this opportunity. First, she would live her life differently, and second, with a newfound reverence for the gift of forgiveness.
Forever, she remembered the words of Jesus: “Go and sin no more.” They were a constant reminder of the grace bestowed upon her.
