One day Jesus was hanging out in the temple when a bunch of guys came at him. They were dragging along a woman, who must have been terrified.
They shoved her in front of him and said, “This woman was caught in the act of adultery.”
Reminding him their law said she should be executed by stoning they asked, “Now what do you say?”
Jesus knew it was a trap! If they got him to say, “It’s no big deal. Just lighten up and let her go,” they could accuse him of dishonouring God’s law.
Jesus bent down and started to write in the dirt on the ground. When they kept peppering him with questions he stood up and answered.
“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.”
They must have been stunned. One by one they all walked away. Under those conditions they knew they couldn’t do it. After they left Jesus asked the woman, “Has no one condemned you?” When she said no he replied, “Then neither do I.”
Then before she left Jesus added, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (see John 8:1-11.)
Sin is not a popular word anymore but most of us still believe that some things are just plain wrong.
For some reason many people obsess over the ones that involve sex. When it comes to those things, most of us fall into one of three groups. We’re like the guys ready to jump in and condemn, we’re like the ones who fall for the trap and say, “Its no big deal,” or we’re like the woman caught in all the shame and condemnation.
Jesus has something to say to each of us. What’s he saying to you?
Jon Wyminga is pastor with the Cariboo Presbyterian Church in Nazko.