“Making a Mess” (Adulterous Woman)

It doesn’t take much to make a mess of our lives. Our natural desires that are sinful are allowed to “take over,” and before we know it, we are adding issue after issue into our lives. The story of the woman who was “caught” in adultery exemplifies this reality. We don’t know much about her, but we do know that she was in danger of disaster. According to the Mosaic Law, both the man and the woman who were committing adultery were to be stoned to death (Leviticus 20:10). How things have changed. What also cannot be lost in the story is that these hypocritical religious leaders had impure motivations. They didn’t care about this woman. In fact, some theologians believe that it was one of them who had committed adultery with her. They had already disregarded part of the Mosaic Law that required BOTH PARTIES caught in adultery to be stoned. Their hope was to “trap” Jesus with their question giving him two “impossible” options. We must understand that we are in a spiritual battle for our lives, and both Satan and the godless culture that we live in is seeking to destroy us. Thankfully, nothing is unforgivable when the Gospel is in play! Jesus quickly exposed these evil men telling them that “whoever was without sin to cast the first stone!” The fact is that we are all in need of forgiveness. The child who has never committed murder or adultery is just as desperate for the Gospel as the adult whose life is riddled with poor decision after poor decision from his past. Why? Because we have ALL SINNED and FALL SHORT of God’s glory! The story ends with a decision to be made. It’s perfect how Jesus applies both the compassion of the Gospel with the commitment to the Gospel. In American church culture, license has caused many people to decompartmentalize their lives with Jesus getting Sunday and their selfish desires getting Monday through Saturday. Jesus made it clear to this woman that the Gospel changes our behaviors. Forgiveness is not a license to sin; it’s leverage to live a “new life” filled with purpose and joy. We never really do find out if this woman obeyed Jesus. She was given the same choice that you and I are given – LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN and follow Jesus!