"Neither do i condemn you"
starting in the passage in John.
Jesus, before entering the temple went to his place of prayer at the Mount of Olives. Just before this passage he had told the people at the last day of a feast that he was the Living Water and anyone thirsty can drink.
He had showed his affection publically. he was telling the people how refreshing his love really was. he was also pertaining to the scriptures.
after his time in prayer he enters the temple. (it was early in the morning)
the people gather around him.
the lawyers (scribes) and religious leaders (Pharisees) brought to him an adulterous woman.
the did this to test him.
they hearts were dark. full of fear and hate.
Jesus begins to write on the ground.
......what did he write?
--------the secrets sins of the Pharisees? perhaps
--------the motives of the lawyers?perhaps.
i tend to think that he wrote down a list of sins and names of people who had commited them. people that were standing there, holding the rocks, ready for judgement.
mankind is quick to bloodshed and slow to mercy. we can serve a violent, angry god, but find in folly to bow to a kind loving God.
God is opposite in His nature.
its not that He forces Himself to be patient,
He is patient!
He doesnt force Himself to love and suffer long
He is Love!
so these men by nature were indignant and frustrated that Jesus was merciful.
"Let He who is without sin cast the first stone"
then he continues to write on the ground.
"in case you forget about your sin, let me remind you, i'll write it down"
and starting with the oldest, (for reasons i do not know) to the youngest the put down their stones and left the scene.
basically Jesus was saying that every man deserves the punishment they are so quick to carry out.
everyone deserved to be in her shoes. we all deserve death.
but let us see how Jesus treated her, and how he treats us.
but first...
what was the woman thinking?
how long had she been living under shame and condemnation?
was she frightend?
she knew that the law of the land would condemn her to death for this act.
the word says "Jesus stood up" and that the woman was standing before him.
he had bent down to write in the sand. he remained lower than she was until the accusers left.
wow, ponder on that for a year.
"where are they? where are the accusers?"
"has no one condemned you?
no she says
"neither do i condemn you."
man doesnt have the authority to condemn.
men may kill each other but only God can condemn someones soul.
so even Jesus who could condemn, because he is God, said i choose not to.
"now go and seek righteousness"
he knew he was the only righteous one. no one is perfect, only Jesus.
his last response to her was,
"seek me and know me, if you believe in me out of your heart will comes streams of living water!"
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