I opened my Bible to the familiar passage I had been studying. I read again how the religious authorities dragged this woman from the bed where she was lying with a married man, through the streets while people watched, and into the courtyard where Jesus sat teaching the people. They proclaimed her sin in the shadow of the Temple, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.” (John 8:1-11)
That is what we call her, the woman caught in adultery. Her identity, whoever she was with all the complexity of her personality, likes and dislikes, her name and occupation, the experiences in life that had brought her to that moment of compromise are swallowed up by this one thing that she had done. We call her by her sin.
It is something we do all the time. We call ourselves by our weaknesses and mistakes. We name ourselves by our sins and failures. We don’t need an angry mob to accuse us in front of God because we do it ourselves. How many times have we started our prayer by telling God who we really are instead of what He thinks?
“God, it’s me again and I am a mess.”
“God, here I am and I screwed up again.”
“God, are You tired of me yet, because I am mad at myself?”
Do you know what I think tonight? God didn’t call that disheveled woman in that courtyard by her sin. He knew who she was that day and He still calls her by her name. He still remembers her playing as a child, her looking up at the stars in wonder as an adolescent, her kneeling by her bed to pray as a young woman. He saw her heart, and though she fell into her temptation, He still loved her.
Jesus refused to be part of the make-believe trial in which the self-righteous men tried to force Him to participate that day. They had already made up their mind when they pulled her into the streets. They were judge and jury and she was guilty. There was no defense. She deserved the stones they clutched in their fists. They only brought her to Jesus to try to provoke Him into making sentence on her life. Instead, His final word to her was grace, forgiveness, and freedom. “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
My friend, lay down the stones in your hands and let yourself go free. Rest easy in the knowledge that God offers you no condemnation tonight. He knew all about you, your weakness and frailties, when He called you to Himself. He knew every mistake, every sin you would ever commit, and He still wanted you. You can come boldly to His throne of grace. (Heb 4:16) He doesn’t call you by your sin, He calls you by your name.
Pray with me?
Father, we come to You in Jesus’ name and we are so grateful for the mercy and forgiveness You give us so freely. We live in the grace and freedom that You offer us. Empower us to live right lives in front of You. We just want to please You. We love You, Lord.
