Bible Readings: John 8:3-11, Matthew 15:24-28
Imagine the shame of being caught in the very act of adultery. She never planned for her secret to be exposed like this.
She knew the law about adultery.
She knew her penalty was death.
The whole community knew the judgment.
No one mentioned her husband.
Maybe he hid away, too ashamed for his wife, his household, and his own pride.
Terror must have clenched her heart as she faced the shadow of death.
Who could possibly speak up for her?
Who would risk their own name to defend her?
Wait a minute—the accusers slipped up.
They brought her straight to Jesus! Just when the enemy thinks victory is certain, he makes the fatal error of bringing her to Jesus.
Maybe deep inside she whispered, ‘I am so sorry… could the Lord ever forgive me?
Jesus read her heart right there before her accusers
Hemmed in on every side, with nowhere left to escape,
Caught in the very act
Waiting for her final judgment,dgement,
I imagine her lying face down on the ground….
Jesus kneeling and writing on the ground
Her accusers leaned in, hungry for His words,
Their impatience showed in every demand, pressing Him for an answer,
Shocked at his response,
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her John 8:7
One by one, the accusers slipped away….
At last, she stood alone with Him, waiting for His verdict
Set aside every expectation, everything you expected,
This moment was unlike any other,
… leaving the accusers exposed and humbled,
leaving her mouth hanging down (I think),
with sweet tears of joy and freedom rolling down her perfect cheeks,
‘I have not condemned you’
Amen! Halleluyah…….
Mercy in the place of death
Mercy replaced where judgment once stood
Are you being accused by the enemy?
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
who do not walk after the flesh but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1
Even if you are caught red-handed.
Even if you stand in the place of judgment
Even when the verdict against you is justified
You have an advocate,
You have an intercessor,
You have Mercy,
You have Jesus, and He says,
‘He has not condemned you’
You have been set free and declared innocent
Finally, He looks at her and says Go and sin no more!
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2
Let that truth echo in our hearts every time we walk away free…
Don’t go back to the pit.
Have you been there?
Do you know what it means to be told you are unqualified or undeserving of God’s grace?
To you who feels messy, unworthy, or like you do not belong
You are not condemned in Christ.
Reach out your hand; let Him lift you up from that pit.
Have you been told you don’t deserve this Mercy?
You are not condemned in Christ.
Have you been told you are too messed up to be redeemed?
You are not condemned in Christ.
Have you been told, Grace is not for someone like you?
You are not condemned in Christ.
Have you been told you are unqualified to be called His own?
You are not condemned in Christ.
The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He offers us chances.
Or like the woman in Matthew 15:24-28,
Jesus knew her well.
She knew that too.
He told her the truth.
She was coming for what she wanted.
But God…
Even when you have other ideas and try to scheme your way through, Jesus sees right through you.
Can you hear me laughing? *wink*
He indirectly referred to her as a dog… maybe in terms of returning to her vomit!
But clearly mercy stood in the place, perhaps for the child who had been sick.
The proposition for your heart today is that Jesus is freely offering you this invitation; whether you feel undeserving, too messy, or unwanted, this invitation is perfect for you.
What are you waiting for?
Step into it now!
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for the rare privilege to partake of your mercy today. Thank you for your lovingkindness and compassion over my life. I surrender to you, Lord. Father, like the woman caught in adultery, you set her free and asked her to go…you have shown me the very same mercy. Thank you for making me walk away free of condemnation, free of my past, free of guilt. Thank you for silencing my accusers in Jesus name. Amen.
By His Great Grace,
Ifeoma Samuel.
If this article encouraged you, then “THE INVITATIONS” is for you.
Every day we wake to beautiful invitations that nudge us to draw nearer, lean closer, and glean more. We see them even in our least favourite places. Jesus sweetly pours out grace and offers us INVITATIONS.
