The Woman Caught in Adultery

It was a cruel trap. Aggressive, judgmental hands yanked the prostitute out of her bed and shoved her out of her home, dragging her half-robed figure past the shaming eyes of neighbors. Wicked smiles creased the faces of her accusers as she stumbled down the street. “Where are they taking me?” she wondered in fear.

As her captors prodded her around a corner, she froze in her tracks. There ahead stood the holy temple. Her mouth went dry; the temple of God was the last place she wanted to go. Two brutal men gripped her arms and tugged her onward.

“This is my end,” she thought. Violently shoved forward, she soon realized these ruthless villains were taking her to Jesus. He was teaching in the sacred building. She had once heard Him preach out in the villages, but shame kept her at a distance.

“God is angry with me. I’m going to die.” Her face flushed with humiliation as her captors threw her at the feet of Jesus. They accused her of adultery, that they had caught her in the very act.

They reminded Jesus the law said they should stone her to death. Then they confronted Jesus, “But what do you say?”

The woman knew she was guilty. She could not even lift her face. As piercing condemnations were hurled onto her, she felt death would be a welcome escape. She waited for Jesus, a righteous law-abiding man, to add His words of condemnation.

In agony of soul she prepared to receive her final sentence. But there was only silence in the courtyard.

Soon, the woman caught in adultery lifted an eye to see Jesus kneeling down to write in the dust of the pavement. Her accusers walked over to see what He was writing. Jesus then said, “He who is without sin, let him throw a stone at her first.”

Suddenly, the men began to file out of the temple, one by one. Silenced by Jesus. Then turning to the woman, Jesus quietly asked, “Where are your accusers?

Doesn’t anyone condemn you?” Seeing that she was safe, she quietly replied, “No one, Lord.” With great love and gentleness, Jesus looked her in the eyes and said, “I don’t condemn you either. Go and sin no more.”