When Jesus refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery, forgiveness releases the burden of sin. The Pharisees tested Jesus and suggested that she be stoned. John 8:7 They kept demanding an answer, so he (Jesus) stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”[1]
All the Pharisees realized they were sinners and left. The truth is that Jesus is the only one who has never sinned. He was the only one qualified to throw a stone. John 8:10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”[2]
Was Jesus Ignoring Her Sin?
Some look at this story and misinterpret Jesus to be “easy on sin.” But for Jesus to forgive her meant that in the near future, He would pay for this sin on the cross. Jesus gives us forgiveness as a gift, but it cost Jesus everything.
Jesus did not condone the woman’s sin but commanded her to go and sin no more. She was to change her lifestyle. The woman doesn’t have to continue carrying the burden of sin and has hope for a new life.
Confession and repentance change our hearts so that we can receive Jesus’ gracious gift of forgiveness. As Jesus takes our burden of sin, we should respond with a desire to live for God rather than for ourselves. As much as possible, we want to stop routine wrongdoing. Yes, as long as we live on this earth, we will sin. But with God’s help, we can change our lifestyle.
Confronting Sin
Before we can receive forgiveness, we must admit our need. If we don’t think we have sinned, there is no reason for forgiveness. The Jewish leadership made a pretense of upholding the letter of the law before Jesus. Yet, by applying the law to the woman and not themselves, they missed their own sin. Jesus wisely required that only a sinless person could throw the first stone. This exposed the accusers’ hearts.
The older men seemed to be more aware of their sins and left first. Age and experience seemed to have moderated their self-righteousness. Each of us, no matter how old or young, must examine ourselves regularly. We all have a sinful nature and need forgiveness and continuing transformation. None of us would have been able to throw the first stone. As sinners, we have two choices. We can lay our burden of sin at Jesus’ feet or keep carrying it.
The Lord’s forgiveness is a fantastic gift. We no longer have to carry the burden of sin weighing us down. Are you weighed down with sin today? God promises that we receive His forgiveness when we confess our sins. Psalm 103: 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.[3]
To learn how forgiveness releases the burden of sin, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-for-the-outcast
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.