A Woman Caught in Adultery

The Feast of Tabernacles had just ended. The priests and rabbis at Jerusalem had been defeated in their plottings against Jesus, and, as evening fell, “everyone went to his own house. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.” John 7:53; 8:1.MHH 39.4

From the excitement and confusion of the city, from the eager crowds and the treacherous rabbis, Jesus turned away to the quiet of the olive groves, where He could be alone with God. But in the early morning He returned to the temple, and as the people gathered about Him He sat down and taught them.MHH 39.5

Soon He was interrupted. A group of Pharisees and scribes approached Him, dragging with them a terror-stricken woman. With hard, eager voices they accused her of violating the seventh commandment. Pushing her into the presence of Jesus, they said, with a hypocritical display of respect, “‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?’” Verses 4, 5.MHH 39.6

Their pretended reverence veiled a deep-laid plot to ruin Jesus. If He acquitted the woman, He might be charged with despising the law of Moses. If He declared her worthy of death, He could be accused to the Romans as one who assumed authority belonging only to them.MHH 39.7

Jesus looked upon the scene—the trembling victim in her shame, the hard-faced dignitaries, devoid of pity. His spirit of stainless purity shrank from the spectacle. Giving no sign that He had heard the question, He stooped and, fixing His eyes upon the ground, began to write in the dust.MHH 39.8

Impatient at His delay and apparent indifference, the accusers drew nearer, urging Him to give the matter His attention. But as their eyes, following those of Jesus, focused on the pavement at His feet, their voices were silenced. There, traced before them, were the guilty secrets of their own lives.MHH 40.1

Rising, and fixing His eyes upon the plotting elders, Jesus said, “‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’” See verse 7. And, stooping down, He continued writing.MHH 40.2

He had not set aside the Mosaic law nor infringed upon the authority of Rome. The accusers were defeated. Now, their robes of pretended holiness torn from them, they stood, guilty and condemned, in the presence of infinite purity. Trembling lest the hidden iniquity of their lives should be laid open to the multitude, with bowed heads and downcast eyes they stole away, leaving their victim with the pitying Savior.MHH 40.3

Jesus arose and, looking at the woman, said, “‘Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” Verses 10, 11.MHH 40.4

The woman had stood before Jesus, cowering with fear. His words, “‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first,’” had come to her as a death sentence. She dared not lift her eyes to the Savior’s face, but silently awaited her doom. In astonishment she saw her accusers depart speechless and confounded; then those words of hope fell upon her ear, “‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” Her heart was melted, and, bowing at the feet of Jesus, she sobbed out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessed her sins.MHH 40.5

This was to her the beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the spiritual malady that leads to eternal death. This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing love and devotion she showed her gratitude for His forgiving mercy. The world had only contempt and scorn for this erring woman, but the Sinless One pitied her weakness and reached to her a helping hand. While the hypocritical Pharisees condemned, Jesus urged her, “‘Go and sin no more.’”MHH 40.6

Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. The greater the sinner’s guilt, the more he or she needs the Savior. His heart of divine love and sympathy is drawn out most of all for the one who is most hopelessly entangled in the snares of the enemy. With His own blood He has signed the emancipation papers of the race.MHH 40.7

Jesus is not willing for those who have been purchased at such a cost to be buffeted about by the enemy. He does not want us to be overcome by temptation and perish. He who curbed the lions in their den and walked with His faithful witnesses amid the fiery flames is just as ready to work in our behalf to subdue every evil in our nature. Today He is standing at the altar of mercy, presenting before God the prayers of those who desire His help. He turns no weeping, contrite soul away. Freely He will pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration. He bids every trembling soul take courage. Whoever will, may take hold of God’s strength and make peace with Him, and He will make peace.MHH 40.8

All who turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of tongues. No human being or evil angel can impeach these souls. Christ unites them to His own divine-human nature. They stand beside the great Sin Bearer in the light proceeding from the throne of God.MHH 41.1

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses “from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.MHH 41.2

“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:33, 34.MHH 41.3

Christ showed that He had absolute control over the winds and waves, and over men possessed of demons. He who stilled the tempest and calmed the troubled sea spoke peace to minds distracted and dominated by Satan.MHH 41.4