Imagine yourself as that woman taken in adultery. You are undeniably guilty; you have been caught in the very act. On one side stands a group of men representing the Law of Moses given by God. They are fierce and unyielding in there demand for justice. Already they have the stones gathered, even in their hands, as they anticipate the satisfaction they will feel at every violent throw. The sound of those rocks breaking your bones and crushing your flesh is already in their minds and they can barely contain themselves from beginning their righteous killing.
On the other side is a man you have heard of but never seen. He is unquestionably a man sent from God, for the miracles He has done give undeniable proof of it. Surely your heart is laid bare to Him and He knows of greater sins than the stone-throwers know. Your life is certainly coming to an end. All the joys of this life are about cease, and there can be little doubt that in a few minutes you will begin an eternity of well-deserved torment for your sin. Hope is gone, and in the face of certain death and judgment, anger begins to rise. You hate the religious men who seek your death. You hate this new prophet for He will doubtless agree with these, your accusers.
What is He doing? What is He writing in the dust? He looks for a sinless one to cast the first stone? Well, good luck finding a sinless man in that crowd! You know them. You realize that behind those broad-fringed robes and wide phylacteries are corrupt men. But they often trumpet their righteousness, so surely one will now step forward for the privilege of being the first to cast a killing stone at you. He writes again. What does it say? You do not know, but they know, and the rocks begin to fall from their hands, and one by one, from the oldest on down, they leave.
Now there is only you and Him. What will he do? You look into His face and discern that here is, One who is, indeed, without sin. The privilege of being the first to throw a rock is His. You cringe, waiting for that first stone.
“Woman, where are the men who accused you? Is there anyone left to accuse you?” “No, Lord.” Lord? Where did that come from? Why did you call Him Lord? Why does that title so easily fall from your lips for this prophet? Why are you compelled to submit to Him?
“Neither do I raise an accusation against you. Now go, and sin no more.” You are stunned; you do not know what to say. The only one in the whole world who has a right to condemn you has just set you free: free from condemnation and free from the sin that brought it.
At first I asked you to imagine you were this woman. It will not require much imagination, will it? We are just like her, and if the Lord has saved us, we have seen Him send our accusers away and heard Him pronounce the word of justification to our souls. And for this, we are stunned, and do not know what to say, except, “Hallelujah!”
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