3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 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. 7 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. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 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. 10 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? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:3-11).
This exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders is very informative. It is informative in that we learn a lot about the Christ, the Leaders, and the Woman in terms of motives. Christ was motivated to forgive in response to genuine sorry for sin; the Leaders were motivated by revenge and were vindictive hypocrites (notice there was no talk of the Man that was in the adulterous relationship with the Woman); and the Woman was motivated to be forgiven. Forgiveness is what Christ offers all that genuinely desire to be forgiven and freed from the penalty and guilt of sin. This is not a free pass in that Christ Himself paid the penalty for us. He requires us to refrain from continued sin, but He knows full well that we need Him when we do falter.
This exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders is very informative. It is informative in that we learn a lot about the Christ, the Leaders, and the Woman in terms of motives. Christ was motivated to forgive in response to genuine sorry for sin; the Leaders were motivated by revenge and were vindictive hypocrites (notice there was no talk of the Man that was in the adulterous relationship with the Woman); and the Woman was motivated to be forgiven. Forgiveness is what Christ offers all that genuinely desire to be forgiven and freed from the penalty and guilt of sin. This is not a free pass in that Christ Himself paid the penalty for us. He requires us to refrain from continued sin, but He knows full well that we need Him when we do falter.
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