Judgement vs. Compassion

She was apparently guilty because she was caught in the act.  Her guilt was also confirmed by the fact that she didn't contest her accusers. It's not her guilt that makes me interested in her story. It's the opinions of those around her that interests me.

The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought her to Jesus and put her in front of Him and the crowd of people that were gathered.  She had been caught in the act of adultery, but honestly, it wasn't the woman the teachers of the law and the Pharisees were concerned about.  They were trying to trap Jesus.  The religious leaders refer to her as "this woman" which leads me to believe they didn't even know her name.  And if I had to guess, they didn't know her background either.  I bet they didn't even ask her why she had committed adultery.  They certainly weren't concerned about her motives or what was at the heart of the matter.

Jesus had every right as the Creator of the World to send a lightning bolt to destroy these religious leaders.  He knew they were trying to trap Him.  He knew they weren't interested in what happened to the woman.  But Jesus, full of love and grace and mercy, didn't zap the leaders with lightning.  He knew the law called for the woman to be stoned, but He also knew the sins of the men accusing her. He asked for those without sin to cast the first stone.  No one did.  Not even one of them claimed to be without sin.  The accusers walked away.  And Jesus, showing so much love and grace, forgave the precious woman's sin and told her to sin no more.

Two different perspectives of the same situation.  One perspective is seen through condemning eyes, while the other perspective is through the Eyes of Love.  What did Jesus see that was different than what the religious leaders saw?  Well, He most certainly saw the people He had created - His children.  He had created not only the woman, but the religious leaders as well.  He had a love for all the sinful people in the crowd.  He treated everyone with love and respect, even when they meant no respect for Him.  What an example of love!  What an example of grace and mercy!  I bet many lives were changed that day as they witnessed this scene.

If you were in the crowd that day would you have sided with those pointing a judgmental finger at the woman, or would you have seen this situation and immediately felt compassion for the woman? If you're not sure then read today's headlines and see if you see those involved in the headlines with compassion or with judgement.  Do you say things like, "those people deserve that"? Or, do you say, "I wonder what has happened in that person's life to get them to this sad place?"  We don't have to agree with someone's actions to show compassion to them.  Jesus didn't agree with what she had done. He knew she was in the wrong, but He also knew what had led her to this place.

I have no right to throw stones at anyone because I am not without sin.  But, I do have every right to love others unconditionally.  Jesus showed us how to truly love others.

Lord, forgive me when I've been judgmental of others.  I know they are your children and you love them as much as you love me.  Help me to love the way you do.  Help me to see others through the way you do.  In Your Precious Name, Amen.

To dig a little deeper:

• Read John 8: 1 - 11 and make notes of what God teaches you in this passage.
• Read 1 Corinthians 13 and highlight ways we are to love others.
• Make a list of people in your sphere of influence that need to receive unconditional love from you and then go love on them this week!