“’Teacher,’ they said to Jesus, ‘this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?’” (John 8:4 NLT)
It’s unlikely that any of us have been caught in the “act of adultery,” except perhaps in our mind, but we’ve all been tempted, as were those in the story in John 8, to seek to shift the blame of sin to someone else. It can be a spouse, parent, child, classmate, co-worker, neighbor, or friend, it often turns out to be anyone who happens to be available on whom we can project our own guilt and shame.
Many are aware of the childhood jingle that says: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never harm me.” I hope you’re also aware that that’s a lie. Words can cripple us in ways like no other, but they can also heal. Think of Jesus’ words to the woman in the above scenario: “Neither do I (condemn you). Go and sin no more.”
Lisa Lakey shed light on this subject when she wrote in a Family Life devotional: “’Of course you did.’ The words slid between my slippery lips before I could stop them. And I saw the subtle change in my husband’s look as I wished I could retract those four small words. But I couldn’t. And let’s be real. It wasn’t the first time (maybe that week even).
That whole ‘sticks and stones’ rhyme from childhood doesn’t work in the adult world. Words, indeed, can hurt us. That day, my husband had made a small confession to an action he had done without much thought. But it added more work on my swelling to-do list. But what I did was worse. Because mine wasn’t an accident. It was intentional. He made a confession; I placed a judgment. Yet it wasn’t on what he did as much as on his character. Because there’s always the implied we don’t say. Of course you did. That’s who you are.”
The men holding the stones in John chapter 8 weren’t any less sinners than the woman whom they now accused, but she was more vulnerable and less able to defend herself. Aren’t you glad Jesus steps in to defend us when we can’t (or won’t) defend ourselves? I’ve used hurtful words that I’ve regretted, as have you, but thank the Lord for forgiveness and second chances.
Forgiveness is a gift that keeps on giving when we offer and receive it in its proper, intended context. Do you believe the woman “caught in the very act of adultery” ever sinned again? She very likely did, but my guess is she didn’t very often let Jesus out of her sight. She was forgiven, and that’s not something sinners should take lightly.
When I was forgiven by Jesus the first time, I was only 15 years old, but it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my young shoulders. Think what you will, but my life was forever changed on that day. Have I sinned since then? Ashamedly and with deep regret – yes, I’ve sinned, but I also, on that evening in 1963, met a Savior who has never forgotten or forsaken me.
That’s the beauty of Jesus, when He gives you His word, He always keeps it. He told me on that April evening many years ago that He would never leave me or forsake me, and He hasn’t. Even though I’ve sinned in ways I find it difficult to forgive myself, He’s never, not once, ever reminded me of how badly I messed up. And do you know what else? He loves you just as much as He loves me (He has no favorites)!
Do you know Him? If you don’t, please don’t wait another second to give your life to Him. The only thing you’ll regret is not doing it sooner. Go to Ron Hutchcraft’s Bridge to God and make sure your sins are forgiven and you’ve met Jesus.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 