Neither do I.

I read the story of the adulterous woman last night. You know that one, right? Let me refresh your memory...

"The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.  Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?'

This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.  And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.' And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground.  

But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.  Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.'

And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'" (John 8:3-11 ESV)

I've read this story many times. I usually focus on the accusers - the people wanting to stone the woman for her sin. This time was different because I put myself in the woman's point of view.

There is no denying the fact that she was guilty. But here she was - surrounded by a crowd of people who all know what she had done. I can only imagine she felt embarrassed, humiliated and alone. 

When Jesus speaks to the crowd everything changes.

"Are you without sin? If so, go ahead and throw your stones." (my paraphrasing, of course.) With those words the crowd scattered and she was left with Jesus. I can imagine the relief she felt once they were gone knowing she was no longer on display. What he says next blew me away..

"Neither do I condemn you." (v 11)

She was guilty - she had been unfaithful and was a sinner. Yet Jesus looked at her - the same way he looks at me and you - and says there is grace even for this. I'm not sure about you, but what a relief to know we have a Father that loves and embraces us in our sin - that his grace covers ALL of our failures. 

Are you facing guilt today? Is the accuser in your ear holding your shame and sin over you? I want to encourage you to call out to your Heavenly Father. There is grace to meet you wherever you're at today. He is for you, he loves you and his love & grace cover a multitude of sin.

Happy Wednesday, friends!