The story of the woman caught in adultery is taken from the book of John 8:1-11. In this chapter, a woman was caught in the act of adultery by the Pharisees and brought to Jesus for judgment. According to the law of Moses, anyone who was caught in adultery should be stoned to death.
But Jesus knew that the Pharisees brought this woman not just for the law to be accomplished but to see what Jesus is going to do according to the law. This is because they wanted to find fault in the teachings of Jesus, to condemn the good work He was doing among the people.
The adulterous woman was publicly humiliated and condemned by the Pharisees who wanted to put her to death by all means. When they came to Jesus and announced that this woman was caught in the act of adultery, they wanted her to be judged and killed immediately. But He looked at them and said that those who are sinless should cast the first stone, Jesus forgave her.
Here are 3 life-changing lessons we can learn from this story:
1. With God there is no condemnation
The adulterous woman was publicly condemned by the Pharisees because she was caught in the act and according to the law, she had to be put to death. But when she was brought to Jesus, the act of love was demonstrated by Him and her sins were forgiven. Through this, we understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The people around you might condemn you because of the sins you have committed, they might pass a judgment of death, which you certainly deserve but remember when you come to God through our Lord Jesus, you will be forgiven and your sins will not be remembered anymore.
“God so loved us that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not be condemned but will have everlasting life. John 3:16. If you are facing any type of condemnation today because of the sins you have committed, turn to God and receive forgiveness of your sin, for with God there is no condemnation.
2. All have sinned
In this story, the Pharisees were seen as promoting themselves as being self-righteous when they caught this woman in adultery, and when they came to Jesus, they wanted Him to pass the judgment of death on this woman because they caught her in the act.
Jesus answered them and said, those who are without sin should be the first to cast a stone on her, but none of them could do that as they were not righteous. No one was fit to lift his hand to throw the first stone on the adulterous woman. We must not condemn other people for we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The Pharisees were publicly condemning the adulterous woman just because she was caught in the act, while they themselves were not righteous, having their own sins hidden, which no one knew except God. They deserved to be judged and condemned also, but because they were not caught, they saw themselves as righteous and fit to judge other people’s sins.
3. Go and sin no more.
When Jesus saw that her accusers were gone, He told her “woman your sins are forgiven go and sin no more.” Jesus set the adulterous woman free, not only from her accusers but also from her sin. This is exactly what Jesus has done for us today, He has delivered us from our accuser the devil, the condemnation of death, and has forgiven us from all our sins.
He has given us salvation by giving up His own life so that we can live a pleasing life in God’s eyes. Jesus is telling us today “You have been set free, go and sin no more. Go and live the life of righteousness. My grace is sufficient for you. I love you so much that I died for you. I have paid the price of your sin with my blood.”