John 8:3-7,9-11 AMPC
When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him. [4] Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. [5] Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women-offenders] shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her-what is Your sentence]? [6] This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger. [7] However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. [9] They listened to Him, and then they began going out, conscience-stricken, one by one, from the oldest down to the last one of them, till Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing there before Him in the center of the court. [10] When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? [11] She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.
God's forgiveness, now there's a mysterious and precious act.
Is it right and fair for us to be let off Scot free when we've done something wrong? That's an accusation often thrown at the gospel of Jesus.
Look at the media, it loves to parade the failings of famous people and make a public spectacle of them, much like we read in the passage above.
They pick up multiple "stones" to throw and hence destroy a reputation. They secretly spy on them, splashing incriminating images online for all to see. Just as if they are perfect themselves.
Similarly, those scribes and Pharisees were sneaking round someone's bedroom, spying on them, trying to expose sin and put Jesus to the test! Plus, you have to ask why they didn't bring the man along too?
There's something in human nature that loves to reveal someone else's sin and cover up our own wrong doings.
Jesus doesn't say "it's ok what the woman did". In effect, He says that the Law is right about being stoned for adultery.
However, He strips bare our fallen nature when He tells them: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"!
Each one knew, when they examined their own heart, that they had many faults of their own.
Jesus was the only One who was qualified to cast that first stone, and He laid it down!
Is it cheap grace? No way!
What did He say? "Go and sin no more"....
Jesus doesn't give us carte blanche to do want we want, sin freely and then ask for forgiveness over and over again.
He expects a change of heart and direction:
Romans 6 Well then, shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not!
There's nothing cheap about the grace and forgiveness of Jesus - it cost Him everything to lay down that stone!!
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