The story of the woman caught in adultery beautifully illustrates God’s mercy in Christ. She stood before men who knew the Law and were ready to stone her. They pressed Jesus to say what should be done.
Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground. He then stood and said,
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” He stooped down again and continued writing. One by one, the men left, beginning with the oldest. When Jesus asked the woman whether anyone had condemned her, she answered, “No one, Lord.” He replied, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:7-11).
“Once we have seen the sin in our own hearts, we cannot approach this evil world with stones in our hands. Rather, we go with outstretched arms, offering God’s glorious mercy in Jesus Christ.”
Her guilt was beyond question. She had no defense to offer. The Law had exposed her sin, just as it exposes ours. It brings the knowledge of sin, stops the mouth that tries to justify itself, and acts as a schoolmaster, bringing us to Christ.
We rightly focus on the mercy Jesus showed this woman. That mercy points us to the forgiveness found in Him: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). D. L. Moody said that the Law can chase a man to Calvary, but no further.
Yet we may overlook what happened to the men. When Jesus spoke, their consciences convicted them. They saw their own sin and dropped their stones.
That should speak to us. Once we have seen the sin in our own hearts, we cannot approach this evil world with stones in our hands. Rather, we go with outstretched arms, offering God’s glorious mercy in Jesus Christ.
