The One Left Standing

They dragged her into the middle of the crowd to make an example of her, and she stood there with her sin fully exposed, every eye on her, stones already in hands. When the accusers had all drifted away, Jesus was the one person left who had every right to condemn her, and he was the one who would not. Woman, where are they? he asked. Has no one condemned you? She said, no one, Lord. And Jesus said, neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.

Hold the order of those words. He did not say clean yourself up first and then I will withhold judgment. The verdict of grace came first, and only then the call to a new life. Neither do I condemn you comes before go and sin no more. He knew a person only finds the strength to leave the old life once they are certain they are no longer condemned in it.

The man who has been caught, whose secret is out, who feels like he is standing in a circle with everyone's stones ready, needs to hear which voice belongs to Jesus. It is not among the accusers. It is the one that clears the ground and then sends you forward free.

Lord, I have felt exposed and condemned. Thank you that your word to me is release, and then a way out. Send me from this moment able to walk differently.