John 8:1-11   Jesus spent the night on the Mount of Olives and went back to the temple early the next morning.  People began gathering to hear Him and He sat down to teach.  It is at that time that the scribes and Pharisees brought the "woman taken in adultery".  They claimed to catch her "in the very act"!  Amazingly they did not catch the man involved "in the very act"!

Their plan was to test Jesus. To "catch"  Jesus in the act of breaking the commandment of Moses.  Isn't it interesting that they credited Moses with making that Law and forgot that it was actually God Who gave the commandments.  They wanted the woman to be stoned.  Perhaps they wanted Jesus to throw the first one.  Instead, He stooped down and wrote something in the dirt on the ground.  When they continued to ask Him what He had to say.. He spoke, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 

Only Jesus was "without sin".. only He had the authority to judge her.  These self-righteous men recognized their own guilt in that moment. The power of Jesus' words pierced their hearts.  Everyone left.. one by one.. until only Jesus and the woman were left.  Jesus remained stooped over and writing on the ground until they had all departed from His Presence.  

When Jesus straightened up again He saw the woman still standing there.. all alone.  His words were for her.. "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"   She answered, "No one, Lord."  KJV says  "No man."  Not even one. none. nobody.. nothing.  She calls Him "Lord".. recognizing His authority, submitting to His supremacy.. she recognized that, even though no man condemned her, Jesus still could.  But.. He did not.. "Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on, sin no more." 

This is one of the most powerful, personal, and precious displays of God's mercy found in the Word.  Remember John's premise in writing this account is to reveal that Jesus spoke only what His Father told Him to say and to do only what the Father does..  Jesus perfectly displayed the mercy and grace of our Father in heaven.. He reveals our sins. He chooses not to condemn us, but to forgive us, cleanse us, and lead us out of sin and into His righteousness.   His lovingkindness never fails.  Psalm 136 reminds us 26 times.. in every verse.. this truth.."For His lovingkindness is everlasting"! 

"Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." (v26) Amen!