The Best Place Possible

Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"

 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."

John 8:10-11

Throughout Jesus' ministry the Scribes and Pharisees did their best to discredit Him. This time they brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to the Lord, asking Him if He would uphold the law that gave death as a penalty for her sin (Lev 20:10, Deut. 22:22). It's interesting that the man involved with the woman was not present. The law stated that both the woman and the man must die. Why didn't the accusers bring her partner to the Lord, as well? There is no way we can know the answer, but it is for certain the legalists wanted to shame the woman and trap the Lord at the same time. But Jesus says nothing at first. Instead, He mysteriously writes in the sand with His finger. Whatever He wrote may have had a direct impact on the people around Him, for when He told them to cast a stone at the woman if they were without sin, they all left. Then He turns to the woman with compassion. Although He does not condemn her, He does call her act of adultery sin, and commands her to stop it. The Lord is never soft on sin. There is always a penalty for it eventually (Rom. 6:23; Eze. 18:4). That's why we need to run to Jesus, our Savior, for forgiveness. When the religious authorities brought the woman to Jesus, they brought her to the best place possible.