Bible Readings: John 8:3-11, Matthew 15:24-28
Caught in the very act of adultery…that must have been humiliating. I’m sure she did not intend to get caught.
She knew the law about adultery.
She knew her penalty was death.
The whole community knew what the judgement was going to be.
No mention of her husband was made.
Perhaps he was too embarrassed for his own wife, his home and his pride.
Fear of impending death must have gripped her heart.
Who would plead her case?
Who would stake their reputation for hers?
Hold on: Her accusers made ‘a mistake’…they brought her to Jesus!
Just when the enemy thinks he’s got this, he makes the mistake of bringing her to Jesus.
Perhaps in her heart she thought, ‘Oh I am so sorry…would the Lord forgive me?’
Jesus read her heart right there before her accusers.
Surrounded with no place to run,
Caught in the very act,
Awaiting Her final judgement,
I imagine her laying faced down on the ground….
Jesus kneeling and writing on the ground.
Her accusers eager to hear what He would say,
anything but patient would describe their wait and continual pressing,
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
The accusers left one after another….
Finally they were alone and His verdict came forth,
Forget everything you expected,
This was different,
….disgracing the accusers,
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 stead of death
Mercy in the stead of judgement
Are you being accused by the enemy?
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
Even if you are caught in the very act.
Even if you stand in the place of judgement
Even though your verdict is lawful
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 discharged and acquitted
You are Free to go
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
That’s what you should remember every time we walk 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 downright messy, unqualified, or unwanted
You are not condemned in Christ.
Give Him your hand let Him take you out of that pit.
Have you been told you don’t deserve this Mercy?
You are not condemned in Christ.
Have you been told you are to 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 sweet thing about Jesus is He gives 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… may be 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 Jesus is freely offering you this invitation, whether you feel undeserving, too messy, or unwanted this is a perfect invitation for you.
What are you waiting for?
Get to it already!
I did this Short Video a while ago, take a listen.
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 showed me the very same mercy. Thank you for making walk away free of condemnation, free of my past, free of guilt. Thank you for silencing my accusers in Jesus name. Amen
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