True Wisdom

John 8:9
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 standing there.

This is such an amazing story and I think it is significant to point out that this is not parable or a story told by Jesus to cause people to think. This was an actual true-life account of just one of the situations that Jesus encountered while on this earth.

The story begins when these Pharisees found a woman caught in the act of adultery. Yes, this whole scenario is a bit strange, if she was caught, then where is the man that she was with. However, to continue with the story they dragged her in front of Jesus in order to find a way to trap Him in His message of love, hope, and mercy. The Pharisees knew the law stated that she was to be stoned to death and had every intention of seeing it fulfilled. It is important that we do not get stuck on the sin of adultery. Yes, adultery is a very difficult sin to deal with that has far reaching repercussions but if we were to equate sin to poison it doesn’t matter which brand of poison is chosen as it will all bring death. How did the Lord deal with all of this sin? The sin of adultery of the woman and the sin of pride and arrogance from the religious men were all sitting before Jesus awaiting His judgment. He took a moment and wrote in the dirt. No one knows for sure what He wrote. I wonder if He drew a cross, wrote some of the Pharisees sins, or maybe just needed to put Himself in a time out in order to respond to these Pharisees, as He should. After looking up from His doodling Jesus made one statement that would cause the whole group to disperse.

“If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Then Jesus went back to drawing his picture in the dirt.

This is where we see Jesus’ words break through the hard hearts of these religious men. Scripture tells us that beginning with the older ones each of the accusers dropped their rocks and walked away. Now why do you think the older ones were first? I see only one true reason for this response- they have lived longer and have had time to realize their own shortcomings and sinful moments.

After all of the accusers left there was only one person there who could throw the stone with a clear conscious and He chose to die for the woman’s sin instead of allow death to rule. Jesus did tell this woman to go and sin no more.

So what lessons of wisdom can we walk away with from this story about Jesus and His love for you and I?

#1 Jesus is very serious about the love and forgiveness He has for us

#2 Do not be so quick to pick up stones and throw them at others- we all have much more in common than we like to admit

#3 Jesus’ love does not give us the freedom to do what we want- He made it very clear that the woman was to go and sin no more

#4 The freedom Jesus gives is to be able to walk forward in a peace that only comes because He gave His life away

#5 Notice the story does not say that the woman picked up the rock and began stoning herself to death- she accepted Jesus’ forgiveness as should you and I


Dear Lord,

Please help us understand, accept, and embrace your love and forgiveness. Protect our heart from becoming arrogant and judgmental. Fill us with your Spirit to the place that if we are cut open that we will bleed of your love and mercy. Thank you for your love and for being patient with us in those moments where we take our eyes off the hope that you created for us as you gave away your life.

Amen