Some of the most intense conversations that Jesus had were deeply personal, although, in the case of the adulterous woman, there was a posse of scribes intent on finding fault both with Jesus and the woman. (John 8:1-11)
The scribes were acting as judge and jury, not only condemning this woman, but Jesus as well. “Teacher,” they said, “this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
But listen to Jesus response, “He bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.”
These words of Jesus are spoken all the time: ‘I do not condemn you’. In prayer, we often feel condemned for our past, or just for whatever in ourselves makes us feel shame. We condemn ourselves for meanness in the past, for our use of people for our own ends. We may also condemn ourselves for feelings we have and aspects of our personalities of which we feel ashamed. We can do nothing better than come before the Lord in shame and sin and allow the words of mercy, ‘I do not condemn you,’ to fill the shame, the guilt that makes our hearts and souls so empty.
Dear Jesus, You showed much mercy to the woman who other’s condemned adultery. We thank you for showing mercy to us. Please help us change our lives and follow You in the way of mercy. Give us us hearts if compassion and not of condemnation. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
