I Am the Light • John 8:3-18
By Rick Henson
The last place she wanted to go was to God’s house. Not now, not this way. They pushed her through the streets of Jerusalem, exposed physically and as a sinner. Her head hung in shame, bitter tears and sweat mingling as they paraded her to the Temple.
She tried to remember how she got into this predicament. It started with some innocent flirting. Her neighbor paid her more attention than did her husband. Maybe it was for the attention; maybe to be loved; maybe for the pleasure. One thing led to another (it usually does), and before long they began an adulterous affair.
Some suspected, others gossiped. She continued the affair. Then today, she and her lover were suddenly interrupted by shouting voices. Strange hands dragged her into the street. She didn’t have time to cover up her shame or her nakedness.
They left the man alone, which was typical. Why was she paraded with shame and he rewarded with anonymity? She felt used by this man. This was so unfair, but life rarely is fair. Still, she was guilty.
Where were they pushing her? People all around shouting for her to be stoned, leaders gathering, walking behind her. Were they going to stone her? They led her…. to the Temple. Not the Temple, not the place where God visits His people. Not there! Not like this!
Yet here she was at the Temple. They led her to the place where Jesus was teaching. They interrupted Him by pushing her in front of Him.
These religious leaders demanded of Jesus an answer.She was caught in the very act of adultery, they yelled at Jesus! They claimed the Scripture said to stone her! “What sayest thou?” (John 8:5KJV). All eyes turned to Jesus.
She still tried to cover her nakedness. She tilted her head slightly and looked at this man she had heard so much about. She felt dirty in His presence, not only because of the dirt on her body but mostly because of the shame in her heart.
He ignored their questions. They persisted, but Jesus simply wrote in the dirt. She could not see what He was writing. The tension was unbearable. Would she die, or would she live? Her fate hung on His words. Yet she knew she was guilty, the sense of shame and embarrassment beyond description.
The religious leaders shouted again at Jesus. Then quietly, He spoke. She finally understood that this was not about her. They didn’t care that she was a sinner. They wanted to trap Jesus. She was simply the pawn. Once again, she felt used.
Jesus said that the one without sin should throw the first stone. Those words pierced her heart. She was guilty. Surely these religious people would be able to stone her, but they did not. They got very quiet. She had never heard a crowd so silent.
One by one, they left. Her sobs continued as they departed, until the only One left was the One without sin. She looked at Him, and His gaze penetrated her soul. She felt even more exposed. He was the only One without sin, able to cast the first stone. What would He do?
She looked around, and then she looked at Him. He spoke to her in a soft voice, so different from the harsh treatment of the religious leaders. “Woman, where are those thine accusers?” (John 8:10 KJV). She looked around. No one was left. “No man, Lord,” she sobbed.
Jesus, the Son of God, the Righteous, Holy One of Israel, looked her square in the eyes and said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11 KJV). She felt both relief and shame. Shame, for she had been confronted by the Son of God, and relief because she was forgiven.
Jesus did not condone her actions. He simply refused to punish her for them. The only One without sin chose not to destroy her, but to restore her. The woman went her way. Still, she was ashamed of her sin but she felt clean. She had encountered Jesus, and He forgave her!
Henson is minister of outreach and evangelism at Bethel Church, Brandon.
