What was Jesus Response when the scribes and Pharisees brought the woman who
committed adultery to him? Was it a response of condemnation - or was it a response
of forgiveness? Let's read the story.
John Chapter 8 verses 1 - 11
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and
all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto
him, Master this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one,
beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in
the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman
where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.
The scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus with both a holier than thou and judgemental attitude - They weren't trying to do any good. In fact their only intention was to do harm - they wanted to harm both the woman caught in the act of adultery - and they also wanted to harm Jesus by
trying to tempt him, hoping they would have opportunity to accuse Jesus of something.
JESUS RESPONSE HOWEVER WAS ONE OF FORGIVENESS AND CARE.
We don't have the right to judge another person - we don't know their hearts - we don't have
the ability to read minds. We also don't have the ability to know that persons history - whether
they have had trial after trial, challenge after challenge or crisis after crisis etc.
We are told in the bible - to judge not - but instead to love, care, encourage, pray and uplift each other.
Friend - what will you do next time you are tempted to judge someone?
Let's pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the gift of today. We thank you for love, peace, joy and happiness. We all
go through challenges and crisis times throughout the duration of our lifetime - but you are
with us and walking through those times with us - thank you Lord - that is what helps us
to endure these hard times and not become bitter.
I ask Lord for you to fill our hearts with your holy spirit - forgive us of our sins and help us to love
forgive, care and pray for each other. Help us never to be judgmental towards another human being -
Help us to be so busy doing the do's that we don't have any time to do any don'ts.
Draw near to us Lord and please protect us as we go about our daily lives - reaching out
and helping others. Please be with us as we read the bible daily and spend that vital time
in prayer with you - getting to know you better -
Help us never to be too busy to put you first - because if we seek riches first we are being irresponsible - riches won't save us. If we seek Leisure first - that won't lead to happiness -
and it also won't save us - it will only make us more selfish - if we seek wordly things first - we have our priorities wrong - and also that won't save us - we will only become overwhelmed, lonely and lost that way - but if we seek you first - everything else will fall into line as you are the solution to every problem - You are the most kind,caring, loving, forgiving Father anyone could wish to have. What an awesome Father you are. All knowing, all caring, all powerful. Thank you Lord for adopting me
as your daughter years ago when my earthly dad died. You have led the way for me - We pray Lord for the lost, lonely and unbelievers to come to know you - because while they don't know you - they are missing out on so much - so much happiness - so much joy - so much peace - and so much love. Please Lord - help us to love others to you - and help us never to fall for one of the biggest stumbling blocks in loving unbelievers to you..and that is of appearing to be judgemental - that is one of the biggest turn offs to an unbeliever - if we are either being judgemental or appearing to be judgemental then we are misrepresenting you Lord...Help us not to fall for that trap. If others knew of your true character and great love for them then they couldn't help but being drawn to you - that is why it is so important that others see your great love through us.
Help us to get our daily dose of Nature, inhaling the beautiful fresh air, listening to the birds sing
taking time to smell the beautiful flowers that you designed, have some fun - and do lots of
kind deeds - following your example.
Thank you Lord for the greatest light ever and the biggest treasure ever - and that light
and treasure is you Lord. Amen
