As we continue with compassion, we see Jesus often moved with compassion. He taught about it and demonstrated it throughout His ministry on earth. One stunning example is found in John 8:3-11, which reads:
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Even today in certain cultures, women caught in adultery are still being stoned to death. The religious leaders in Jesus’ time were passing judgment on a woman who was guilty of having an affair. Notice the words they made her stand before the group as they brought her to Jesus.
Will You Cast The First Stone?
Jesus was silent and simply bent down and began writing in the dirt with His finger. These leaders humiliated this woman publicly and announced her sin before the crowd. The Bible does not say what Jesus wrote in the sand, but what if He was writing the sins of those standing to watch, eagerly awaiting her punishment?
Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.
He continued writing on the ground… Lying? Adultery? Covetousness? Pride? Jealousy? These evil deeds were visible to the One who sees everything, because He knows the heart (Acts 15:8); Jesus highlighted the accusers’ sin until, one by one, they began to walk away.
I love the way Jesus always asked poignant questions, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?
Can you imagine how she felt? This man she never met, but no doubt had heard about, became her advocate and defender. He shielded and freed her from her accusers and an agonizing death sentence. With a heart full of compassion, He released and forgave her, Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.
Why We Are Now Free
Jesus has done that for you and me. Because of His grace, love and compassion, He freed us from death and from our deserved punishment.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1).
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).
Prayer
And so we pray, Lord Jesus, empower each of us to love others the way you love us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
