I don’t think that I’m alone when I say that those who have had the greatest impact on me for good have been those who have defended me, believed in me, and loved me especially at those times when I was anything but worthy of it. And to me no one ever exemplified this better than the Savior. May I illustrate?

Early in the morning, the Savior is teaching in the Temple. He is rudely interrupted by the scribes and Pharisees who cast before Him a woman they have caught in the act of adultery.

Tempting Him, they say, “… Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but, what sayest thou?” (John 8:4-5)

It was a carefully connived trap. If He freed the woman, he would be accused of defying Moses whom the people revered. But if He consented to her stoning, it would be construed as a contradiction of His own teachings regarding love and forgiveness.

Always the master of the situation, Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground, ignoring them. Notably, by so doing all attention was drawn to Him and away from the already humiliated woman.

Well, they pressed Him for an answer.

Finally, He raised Himself up and said, “… He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

He then returned His attention to writing, and they, now pierced to the heart and self-convicted, slunk off one at a time from the oldest to the youngest, leaving Jesus and the woman alone. Seeing their reaction, one has to wonder - what was Jesus writing on the ground?

When He raised Himself up and saw none but the woman, He said, “… Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?”

And she answered, “… No man, Lord.”

“… Neither do I condemn thee:,” he said gently, “go, and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11)
There was only acceptance and love for the penitent sinner – no railing accusation, no scathing rebuke, just pure unconditional love.

And is it possible by her calling Him Lord that this experience changed her life? – and she became thereafter one of His disciples?

Sharlene Wells Hawks has written a beautiful song about this woman. It’s called “I Am Born.”