Forgiveness

 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."]]
John 8:11 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.8.11.ESV

No one condemned the adulterous woman. From a moment of high drama where she was dragged before Jesus, all her accusers slipped away at Jesus's challenge. He said the one without sin could cast the first stone of the punishment according to the Mosaic Law.

Even the religious opponents of Jesus had to admit that they were sinners. They didn't have authority to condemn. When we feel condemned by our sins, we can remind ourselves of the popular saying 'only God can judge' (unless we're guilty of a criminal offense of course!).

The religious leaders who brought the woman caught in adultery weren't interested in justice. After all, where was the guilty man? They just wanted to trap Jesus.

If Jesus condemned the woman according to the Mosaic Law, He'd get in trouble with the Roman occupiers, who reserved the right to implement capital punishment. If He acquitted her, He'd seem to be justifying sin. He could have condemned her, but He refused, calling her to leave her life of sin in an act of restorative justice.

'Sovereign Lord, forbid that we should break Your holy law. If we do, please have mercy upon us and turn us from our sins, in Jesus' name, amen'

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