Recently the sermon was Jesus’ encounter with the adulterous woman.
They had caught her in the act. The act of adultery, which was punishable by death.
There was no concern for the woman, who remains nameless. They were only attempting to trap Jesus in a theological debate. They gave no thought to the woman. Their only thought was to prove Jesus wrong.
The group of men were teachers of religious law. Well respected men.
They used this woman, who was probably already used more times than she could count. In fact, she was probably used up.
Now she was the bait, the means by which to entrap Jesus. Their only interest in her was to get Him. They gave no thought to her life, her shame, her sin being paraded publicly.
Bringing her to Jesus, they throw her down at His feet, demanding an answer to their question, “What should we do with her?”
Jesus stoops to write in the dust, stood up and replies, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, they slip away because none were blameless. Looking up, Jesus asks her the question …
“Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” (John 8:10, NASB)
This woman, used and mistreated her entire life, now met someone more interested in rescuing her rather than in condemning her. Before her was a man looking to forgive her.
Faultless is thought of as being without flaw; being perfect. In that moment, Jesus was extending to this woman the means by which she could be faultless.
He extended to her both grace and truth. Truth recognized that she had sinned. She was an adulterous. But grace also was extended. Grace freed her with a command: “From now on sin no more” (verse 11, NASB).
And it is the same He does for each of us who come to Him. Jesus extends both grace and truth to all who come before Him, admitting their sin. We are in need of both.
Truth without grace will only bring criticism and judgment. Grace without truth only gives leeway to continue in sin. But when the two meet and are extended in equal measure, we find forgiveness and freedom.
Freedom from the guilt and shame the enemy would seek to heap upon us for our pasts.
Jesus extends the same to us today as He did to the woman caught in sin. He has one purpose in mind:
“When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Clothed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne.”
The adulterous woman was guilty. She knew it. They knew it. Everyone knew it.
Jesus knew it.
But Jesus provides hope for every sinful soul.
We are called to be both – salt and light – at the same time. “Jesus’s interactions with people here on the ground were weighty, life-changing, and influential.” And our interactions are to be the same, pointing others to the Savior, all to the glory of our Father. You can read Michele Morin’s post, “Does Your Life Make People Thirsty?” HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay
Too often, we want to hide our sin in shame. But the only way to relief, to cleansing, to forgiveness, is to come to Him. What grace!
I love how you brought out that this woman was used in various ways all her life, and Jesus was the first to truly see and care for her.
And I loved what you said about the need for both grace and truth.
Beautifully written, Joanne. I’m sharing this beautiful presentation of grace and truth with others so that they, too, might find forgiveness and freedom.
Thank you for sharing my post and for your beautifully imagined retelling and rethinking of this consequential moment in Jesus’s life. Grace and truth are the twin anchors that hold our own reactions to sin in a place of salt and light.
Thank you, Joanne for this beautifully written post. I have identified with this story throughout my life, coming from a background of abuse. For many years I could not even accept God’s grace thinking I was so undeserving.
But yes, finally the compassion of Jesus rescued me from the darkness of my captivity. He did that not through condemnation, but through a Love that simply would not let me go.
Grace and truth. They are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary. So thankful Jesus is just, shining truth so we may receive grace. Thank you, Joanne, for reminding us that in His forgiveness there is freedom.
“Jesus extends both grace and truth to all who come before Him, admitting their sin. We are in need of both.” Well said!
I don’t think I have ever heard this explained any better, “Truth without grace will only bring criticism and judgment. Grace without truth only gives leeway to continue in sin. But when the two meet and are extended in equal measure, we find forgiveness and freedom.” That is a truly beautiful and accurate explanation of a topic that has become far too controversial. Thank you for this. God bless you, Joanne.
Forgiveness and freedom–what gifts!
Joanne this is beautiful. This is one of my favorite stories. I love the way you taught this lesson. It’s so easy to understand.