Christian Reflection and Prayer

A Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

Read John 8:1-11.

TEXT: "... 'Teacher, this woman
has been caught in the act of adultery.
Now in the Law Moses commanded us
to stone such women. So what do You
say?'" (John 8:4b-5)

Unable to arrest Jesus in front of the
crowds, His enemies look for a chance
to turn those crowds against Him. They
bring a woman caught in adultery and
set their trap, "Moses commanded us
to stone such women. So what do You
say?" Certainly the crowd is ready for
a stoning. Jesus will lose popularity if
He stands in the way.

Jesus answers them. "Let him who is
without sin among you be the first to
throw a stone at her." He was the only
one qualified to be her Judge, the only
one who has the right to throw that first
stone. One by one they drop their
stones and walk away.

Jesus tells her, "Go and from now on
sin no more." She can walk away
unpunished because He has taken her
guilt and sin upon Himself, along with
the punishment she deserves from
God for that sin. She goes away free
while He prepares to suffer in her place
on the cross.

We don't like to admit it, but each of
us is a sinner like that woman. God
catches us in every single one of our
sins, and we deserve something far
worse than being stoned to death.
We deserve the fires of hell under the
wrath of God.

But Jesus Christ steps forward to
take our condemnation on Himself and
pay the full price for our sins as He
suffers and dies on the cross. On
Judgment Day we will walk away free.
He will not condemn us either.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You set me free by
being condemned in my place.
Help me show true gratitude by
forgiving others and sharing Your
salvation with them.              Amen.

Lutheran Ministries