Character of A Savior.

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery (John 8:3 NKJV).

Things were not going well for her this week. She and her husband had been separated for quite sometime. She met a fellow in a local café and decided to go home with him. It was early the morning after when the knock came upon the door. As he answered it the religious leaders pushed their way in and took hold of her. Dragging her out of the house they took her down the street to the temple. A crowd had gathered to hear Jesus of Nazareth teach today. This was an opportunity for them to find out if He was from God or not. He had claimed God sent Him and if that was the case then He would follow Gods Law in dealing with this woman. Interrupting the session they pulled and pushed her right up to where He was sitting and cast her down in front of Him. Her day was getting worse by the minute. She knew she was doomed. Death by stoning was the punishment for adultery. She lay on the floor embarrassed, ashamed and frightened. Trembling in fear and awaiting her judgment something unusual happened; the Teacher knelt down on one knee beside her and begins to write something on the ground. “The Law states she must die by way of stoning” they insisted. Jesus never answered them. “Moses commanded that she should be stoned to death” another said, “what do you say?” They were hoping He would not have her stoned so they would have grounds to accuse Him of breaking the Law and they could kill Him instead for blasphemy. Jesus stood up and looked them all in the eye; “Which ever one of you that has never committed a sin against God can throw the first rock.” He knelt back down beside the woman as if to protect her indicating He was willing to be killed for her.

Sin is ugly and can get us in a lot of trouble. The men that day were forced to acknowledge their own sins. They walked away proving to the onlookers that all had sinned. Jesus then speaks these encouraging words to us and the woman; “I do not condemn you; now go and sin no more.” Her day was looking a little better. From facing a death sentence to being set free. Let go with a warning, a slap on the wrist compared to the electric chair. That is the character of a Savior. A Savior that is willing to forgive even the vilest offender. A Savior that is willing to kneel down beside us when we are in the pit of sin. A Savior that was willing to take our punishment for us: a Savior that died in our place. His name is Jesus. Are you guilty of committing sin and need to be forgiven? He will give it. Need to be comforted? He will do it. Want to start over with your life? Then let Him set you free, then go and sin no more.