In Search of Forgiveness

The Bible gives two occasions when God writes to man. The first was on Mount Sinai when He wrote the Ten Commandments on two solid slabs of stone (Exodus 20:1-17). The second was in Judea when Jesus wrote in sand the sins of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:6-11).  The first story presents Him as the Law Giver and the second seems to show Him as the Law Breaker. How can these two pictures be reconciled? 

The children of Israel stood expectant at the base of Mt. Sinai, anxiously looking up at the billowing clouds that wrapped the peak of Sinai. They were here because Moses said that  God had something to tell them. The little ones pranced around, restless with the excitement, only to have their ears tugged by their mothers. The men stood in groups speaking in hushed tones.  Then it came— loud, crashing peels of thunder and brilliant bolts of lightening that streaked across the azure sky. The adults fell to their knees in fright, and the whimpering children hid in the trembling arms of their parents.  

Fearful and transfixed, they listened as Moses read to them from the tablets written by God. In terror, all Israel promised that they would do whatever God commanded— just so long as this almighty, fearsome Lawgiver did not come this frightfully close to them again. 

They had forgotten that this was the same almighty, attentive God who delivered them from slavery, gave them water when they were thirsty, and food when they were hungry! Amazing memory-loss and short-lived gratitude! Suddenly, God became for Israel a dreaded Law Giver; and His laws, a burdensome responsibility.

Next, was the story of the prostitute.  This woman was dragged to Jesus for punishment— a stoning.  Humiliated and ashamed she listened as her sordid life was described in graphic detail for Jesus and all who cared to listen. She bowed under the weight as her accusers screamed words of contempt and condemnation, “She is despicable!”  They screamed. “She is no good trash. She has never been anything, and will never amount to anything.” 

She dared not look up for it was all true, and the law said she should be stoned. She gritted her teeth and awaited the sting of the first stone on her back. Glancing in Jesus’ direction she noticed that He had squatted and was writing in the sand.  She couldn’t see what he was writing nor could she will her legs  to carry her closer. “It is further condemnation”, she feared.  

Above her pounding heart she slowly became aware of shuffling feet. She realized that the hissing of the men was growing less. Her accusers were leaving! She dared not hope but continued to wait, confusion adding to the excruciating mental agony.

“So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”John 8:7-11.

A loud gush of air exploded from her lips. She heaved in a full breath of air as tears streaked silently down her face. Did He actually say that He had forgiven her and she could go? She glanced around and indeed they stood alone- no accusers, no witnesses— just she and Jesus. 

She looked into His face and absent was the scorn and contempt that she had grown accustomed to seeing in others. His eyes held understanding, forgiveness, and . . . yes, love. The commandments she was taught came flooding into her thoughts but now with new meaning, 

“. . . But showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments . . .”

A flood of emotions swept over her. Gratitude and yes . . . love. How could she feel otherwise? Thanks poured from her in a jumbled jigsaw of words. The weight was lifted, and there was a new feeling of freedom and acceptance.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32

****** Grace ******

Today’s Goal: To sincerely ask for and accept God’s forgiveness and to live in an obedient love relationship with Him.