LAW STONED, GRACE FORGAVE

The story of the woman caught in adultery is found in John 8:1–11.
They reminded Jesus that the Mosaic Law demanded her to be stoned to death. “But what do you say?” they asked Jesus. Moses an ex-murder but chosen by God instructed that persons found in adultery should be stoned to death. However, Jesus, God in form of Man, choose mercy as He said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).

The Jewish leaders had already disregarded the Law by arresting the woman without the man. The Law required that both parties to adultery be stoned (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22). The leaders were using the woman as a trap so they could trick Jesus. If Jesus said the woman should not be stoned, they would accuse him of violating Moses’ Law. If He urged them to execute her, they would report Him to the Romans, who did not permit the Jews to carry out their own executions (John 18:31).

Moses may have instructed to stone but Jesus, the mind of God was called to lift up people, to restore. It is hypocrisy to judge others. Jesus highlighted the fact that no one is without sin and the importance of compassion and forgiveness. There is no doubt that this woman was guilty of a capital offense and that the Law required she be stoned but Jesus set the woman free with a warning to her to sin no more. Jesus was sitting in a position of authority.

Christians are not called to populate the kingdom of darkness with condemnations, stop throwing stones. We are called to lift those who have gone astray, to redirect their steps with the sole aim to populate the Kingdom of God. Galatians 6:1 states"brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted".

Brethren, before you speak about any issue be sure to have the facts. The Book of James 1:19 states; everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Furthermore, Matthew 7:3 states;"Jesus then set the woman free with a warning to her to sin no more". Though Jesus was the only sinless person in the temple scene, instead of condemning the woman. He urge her to live a sinless life.

Our call is to restore not to spell out the symptoms but to provide prescriptions. My job is not to bring into awareness errors in people but to restore the lost sheep. Be reminded we are sinners in need of the Savior (Romans 3:23). God hates sin, he loves sinners. Jesus died to save people not stone people. He came to redeem, not condemn.

We will observe in the Bible anytime Jesus healed a person, he never said; man stretch out your withered hand. He never called out the infirmity of individuals. In John 18, Jesus said to the adulterous woman “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life off sin.” (John 8:10-11). Jesus is not only interested in what we’ve done but also in what we can become. He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Christian life is a series of new beginnings. Grace leads us to repentance. Romans 2:4 says “…God’s kindness leads you to repentance.” No one deserves Grace; Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. Grace is a transition from a messed up life to eternal life.

In the story of the Adulterous woman, the leaders treated her as an object, talking about her in front of everyone. But Jesus spoke to her with dignity. He regarded her as a person, created in the image of God. While her accusers taunted her, Jesus showed mercy. Condemned to death by the Pharisees, Jesus instead offered her grace and mercy. Mercy does not give us what we do deserve. In reality the woman was the blessed on that day. Her partner may well have escaped but not forgiven.

The Lord restored Samson when he realised his flaws and though he lost his sight, God in his inside enabled him pull down the walls. The prodigal son was received back by his father when he realised his mistake. Jesus is merciful and expects us all to be merciful. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" - Matthew 5:7. If you want to be blessed be merciful.The merciful in this world are blessed in the sense that they know God’s joy. Christians should reject religious dogma and embrace religious tolerance.Greater is he who wins a soul than he who condemns a soul.The Bible states that there is a banquet in Heaven over a repented soul.

Shalom!!!