“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

— John 8:7

The religious leaders tried to set a trap for Jesus. They wanted to be able to accuse him of breaking the law. If Jesus said the woman should not be executed, he would break the law of Moses. But if Jesus said the woman should be executed, that would break the law of the Romans, who said only a Roman judge could sentence someone to death. I have also wondered why the man who was involved with the woman wasn’t brought before Jesus as well.

It didn’t take long for a crowd to gather. People can easily be drawn into an intriguing story.

Jesus responded in a most unusual way. He bent down and began to write in the dirt. As he continued to write, curiosity built and the accusers demanded an answer. Jesus replied that anyone who was without sin could cast the first stone. He went back to writing in the dirt. And, one by one, the accusers left.

I love the fact that Jesus cares more about us than that we keep all the rules.

As he stood alone with the woman, Jesus knew that he was the only one with a right to pick up a stone—and yet he chose forgiveness as he asked where her accusers were.

Today let’s remember that Jesus chooses forgiveness for sinners.

Thank you, Jesus, for your love and your forgiveness. When we feel judgmental toward others, help us to remember that you have forgiven us all our sins. Help us to live as you call us to. Amen.