John 7:53-8:11 | Isaiah 64:1-4
Jesus’ ability to turn around the conversation on a dime is remarkable, but perhaps no more so than in today’s story. You likely know the scene well and there’s not too much to say about it beyond the story itself. So just read it and dwell within Jesus’ compassion, clarity, and liberating presence and power.
John 7:53-8:11
They each went to their own homes, And Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he returned to the temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and taught them. The legal experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. Placing her in the center of the group, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone women like this. What do you say?” They said this to test him, because they wanted a reason to bring an accusation against him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.
They continued to question him, so he stood up and replied, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.” Bending down again, he wrote on the ground. Those who heard him went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left in the middle of the crowd.
Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?”
She said, “No one, sir.”
Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”
Isaiah 64:1-4
If only you would tear open the heavens and come down!
Mountains would quake before you
like fire igniting brushwood or making water boil.
If you would make your name known to your enemies,
the nations would tremble in your presence.
When you accomplished wonders beyond all our expectations;
when you came down, mountains quaked before you.
From ancient times,
no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any god but you
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him!
Prayer
God,
I truly am so drawn to the person of Jesus whose combination of wisdom, grace, and compassion is just what the world needs. But I’m understanding more how the world needs these things one situation at a time.
So use me today for just this, Lord. Give me your compassionate wisdom and clarity of purpose. I don’t want to thwart the powers-that-be (thought that would be fun, honestly) as much as I want to empower those who are not.
So help me, God.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.