Opening Prayer
God, grant us holiness and love. Amen.
Text: John 8:1–11
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 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.”
Devotion
Nothing is more loathsome to Jesus, the merciful Savior of sinners, than uncharitable judgment. All who set themselves up and use the strong power of the law on their neighbor are directly against Jesus. This means not only those who uncharitably condemn others as gross sinners, but also all who boldly presume to decide whether or not their neighbors are true Christians. – Gentleness, love, and meekness please the Lord, but pride and harshness are detestable to Him. They disguise themselves as being zealous for piety, or pretend to be concerned about the soul’s salvation. – People are won by love and trust, but self-righteous “superiority” drives them away. Don’t you have enough love to understand this? You help no one to examine himself by making him suspicious of you. But by believing him to be better than he is, you may really cause him to reflect on his condition.
“Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” They presented what Moses wrote. Then Jesus also writes something. I imagine He wrote what Moses wrote in Leviticus 19:18: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” They knew that the Lord had mercy on sinners, and now they thought they could use His mercy as a weapon against Him. Behold, with consternation, how pride leads them away! They want to make a noose for the Lord out of His mercy toward poor sinners! “If He condemns her, they think, then He loses the favor of the sinners. If He lets her go, then we have the accusation of the Law against Him.” They did not see that they themselves were treading underfoot the law of love which they knew, and that they were more condemned than the sinful woman. Then the Lord speaks a word: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her,” and it strikes their conscience like a burning arrow. It becomes too difficult for them, so they all have to leave. All of them, without exception! This is something for us to consider!
Jesus did not abolish the Law, but confirmed it, and here He presses its burning brand into their hearts. He never approves sin, but condemns it, and we hope also that some of them in this case admitted the justice of His decision and never again condemned others. And the woman? Yes, now only the miserable one and the Merciful One are left. His Word had judged her accusers. Her He does not condemn, but says: “Go and sin no more.” Let us remember that this woman was caught in the act of adultery and did not come to the Lord feeling her own need. He does not promise her forgiveness, but neither does He condemn her. – Whoever is willing, learn this lesson!
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us for our unkindness, and atone for what we have deserved by it. Grant us meekness and love, Lord. Grant us love in our souls. Grant us the love which is Yours. Amen.
Hymn
Our neighbor’s failings we should hide,
True charity supplying,
Nor comfortless let those abide
Who for our help are crying,
In need of home and daily bread,
Whom we should help as Jesus said,
His love thus glorifying.
Grant that our words and deeds may give
True witness of our yearning;
The Spirit in our heart does live,
His light within us burning;
Grant that our light shines ever bright
That all may see the Father’s Light,
Their praise to You returning.
Kingo: Den Naade som Gud haver gjørt L 426:3-4 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Ach Gott vom Himmel (ELH 440); alternate hymn: We are called by one vocation ELH 421 or Lord of glory ELH 459