"... '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?'" (John 8:4b-5) Read John 8:1-11.
Unable to arrest Jesus in front of the crowds, His enemies look for a chance to turn those crowds against Him. They bring a woman caught in adultery and set their trap, "Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?" Certainly the crowd is ready for a stoning. Jesus will lose popularity if He stands in the way.
Jesus answers them. "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." He was the only one qualified to be her Judge, the only one who has the right to throw that first stone. One by one they drop their stones and walk away.
Jesus tells her, "Go and from now on sin no more." She can walk away unpunished because He has taken her guilt and sin upon Himself, along with the punishment she deserves from God for that sin. She goes away free while He prepares to suffer in her place on the cross.
We don't like to admit it, but each of us is a sinner like that woman. God catches us in every single one of our sins, and we deserve something far worse than being stoned to death. We deserve the fires of hell under the wrath of God.
But Jesus Christ steps forward to take our condemnation on Himself and pay the full price for our sins as He suffers and dies on the cross. On Judgment Day we will walk away free. He will not condemn us either.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You set me free by being condemned in my place. Help me show true gratitude by forgiving others and sharing Your salvation with them. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 23-24 Mark 10:32-52
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