The Established Path of Discipleship

A letter to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)

Dear Lady in Brackets:

I am not sure you existed because your story was not included in the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament. Your story is in double brackets in my Bible. I am glad, however, that your story was included, even if it is in brackets. Your story communicates something powerful about the Lord Jesus.

What was it like to be you? Doors flung open, and the light invaded the darkened room of your forbidden liaison. Your partner in crime is left at the scene while you are dragged half-dressed by the religious elite into public view. They place you at the foot of Rabbi Jesus. You expect the worst. Your offense deserves death.

The elites, the religious leaders of the time, ask Jesus if the Law of Moses should be applied to you. Jesus ignores them while you crouch, red-faced, staring at the ground. Jesus is doodling on the ground with his finger, yet you cannot determine what he is writing.

The elites, that is, the scribes and Pharisees, continue to press Jesus for an answer. The Bible does not say, but I can imagine Jesus sighing before he says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And again, Jesus goes back to scribbling in the dirt. What were you thinking when Jesus said that? Confused?

One by one, the ones who believed they had the right and authority to condemn and execute you walked away. Then, the only one left in front of your cowering frame is Jesus. He asks you, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

And you said, “No one, Lord.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

The shame on your face must have been replaced by wonder and relief. I’m guilty, you must have thought. Who is this that does not condemn?

I can only imagine that you went on to follow Jesus, who did not condemn you but forgave you and set you free from your life of sin and shame.

I do not know what it is like to have my worst sins exposed to public view. I do, however, know what it is like to have all my sins exposed to the one who has the right and authority to condemn and execute me. I know what it is like to have him say, I do not condemn you. I forgive you. Walk in the freedom I provided you.

Dear lady, if you were real, and I hope you were, I’m sure you know this by now. Even though we continue to fall into sin, Jesus never leaves us. He always forgives us. Never again will the sentence of condemnation hang over our heads. He took our condemnation and gave us his righteousness. Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). And dear lady, there are no brackets around that.

In Christ,

Cary