Monday, August 25, 2008

"Has no one condemned you...."

John 8:9-11
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

I was floored by something today that just powerfully spoke to me from John 8:9-11. Simple words from Jesus, as the woman caught stood in front of an angry mob that was trying to discredit Jesus and His teaching. He says in the verse proceeding "If any of you is without sin, let him cast the first stone." I have heard sermons, teachings and many messages about this verse, this is powerful in it's weight and significance. It's the next verses that spoke today and there are so many things about this I do not understand, like the oldest leaving first and so on. That I am sure is incredibly packed with it's own nuggets. He knew none would cast a stone, he changed the angry crowd with simple words totally transformed those in His presence. What was Jesus drawing in the dirt, during this time as He looked down?!?!
It was His words alone, He did not even have to look people in the eye to have them hear Him. Truth that descends all nations, generations and situations. Immediately, I thought what if that one self righteous fool (because I have been that one) stood there and cast a stone. What would He say...then? Jesus did not have to say anything then!!!!! It did not happen, He totally defused the situation, by simple presenting the "Gospel." Then Jesus said to the woman "Has no one condemned you?" The lesson no one condemned her, not even Jesus. Is this not freedom, "Go now and leave your life of sin."