Steven A. Bush - July 25, 2021
When Nails Take the Place of Stones
Religious leaders, doing their best to trap Jesus in any possible offense, bring a woman before Him who was caught in the act of adultery. With a little bit of law-twisting, they remind Jesus that according to Moses the woman deserves to be stoned. Jesus initially says nothing. Instead, He bends over and starts writing in the dirt. After pressing Him further, Jesus finally says, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7) One by one they stand down and walk away. After Jesus asks the woman the whereabouts of her departed accusers, He tells her: "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:11) Though Jesus did not condone her sin, He most certainly forgave her. Arguably He saved her life. Nails would soon take the place of the stones as Jesus would go to the cross to pay for her sins. He would bear her punishment. He would suffer her guilt and shame. And He's also done the same for us...