9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (NIV)
I imagine that we have all been there before. Standing before others who make no bones about pointing out how we have fallen short. Maybe it is for what we have done and we feel guilty ourselves about it and everyone else just piles it on. It could be that it is nothing that people are making us feel shame for who we are and not what we have done. What ever the circumstances might be that feeling of loneliness is intense and when we are there the one thing we want above all else is for someone to simply love us for who we are without judgement or expectation.
Jesus comes to this woman and does not join the crowd in accusing her. He does not even debate with them over her guilt or innocence. He simply points out to them that all of us our guilty of one sin or another. It is a powerful moment for the woman but also for those who set down their rocks and walk away. When we recognize our own sin and how guilty we actually are the need for forgiveness is always in front of us. It is a need that we want to receive and should be a need for us to give as well. Love comes at its deepest level in an act of forgiveness. It is something that we do not deserve and cannot earn on our own. It should be at the heart of our Christmas activities.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What do you think the women first thought Jesus would do when he showed up?
- How might this encounter with Jesus have changed the woman's life?
- What helps you to remember that you need to give forgiveness and grace to others?
- What do you need the most right now, to be forgiven or to forgive? What is keeping you from it?
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