Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?” “No one, Master.” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” John 8:6-22 The Message

The accused was caught, but it wasn’t her moment. The accusers were trapped and couldn't see it. They were hell-bent to catch Jesus. What if they bent the Law a few degrees? He had to be stopped. She had to be stoned. Jesus knew the real stones were her accuser’s hearts. What would he do? What would he say. They were so blind, trapped, and weighted down. What was he writing anyway? The woman lay there, head down, villagers looking on. Her life was over, why fight it? That’s one of sin’s best lines: don’t fight it. They wanted a verdict. So he gave them one: let the sin-free throw the first stone. The oldest saw their hearts opened up, their consciences replaying old sins, and they stepped away. Finally, the youngest departed leaving a dust-dragged-adulteress lying on the ground.

Sin demands payment, secrecy, or promises to try better next time. Jesus looked at her, just as he does with you and asks: Woman, Where are they? Does no one condemn you? Guilty and ashamed she says: No one Master. Neither do I , said Jesus. Forgiveness is not mentioned. He calls her to amend her life, reset it, inside and out. Her moment happened at his feet, in front of friends and strangers, nowhere to hide, no escape. Jesus gave her mercy and called her to a righteous life. One day she would see the nails that covered her sin. The same grace is offered you, freely and fully. Grace is always personal: from the dirt, behind a desk, or out of darkness. He replaced stoning with a cross. That was the only way to reach your stony heart. It only takes a moment…