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“…Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” John 8:10b (HCSB)

 I was always the kid who asked a lot of questions, and my favorite was why. So it was no surprise that I would have the same approach to the Scriptures. John Chapter 8 tells the story of a woman caught in adultery, and the penalty was death by stoning. The men who discovered her brought her to Jesus in hopes of making an example of her and a fool out of Him. These men piously quoted the Law to Jesus and then asked what He thought should be done. In response, Jesus does an amazing thing – He says, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Then He knelt down and started writing in the sand.  The oldest got to throw the first stone, but he was so convicted of his own sins he couldn’t. Dropping his stone, he left.  Every person did the same till there was no one left. Now here’s the best part of the story. Everyone is gone and it’s just the woman and Jesus. He stands up and asks her where did everyone go? “Has no one condemned you?” She answers, “No one.”

 Let’s go back to that kid who always had to know why. Why would Jesus, who knows everything, ask her where everyone went? Then it hit me. She needed to see that no one could accuse her, but God and He was willing to forgive. So the next time someone reminds us about something God has already forgiven us for  – remember this story. Then answer His question, “Who can condemn you when I have forgiven you? Answer: no one!

 “Lord Jesus help us to remember that there is nothing You cannot forgive and when You forgive it’s forgotten forever. You’ll never bring it up again and no matter who wants to remind us, they can never condemn us.”

 For His Glory,

 Anice Pruitt
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