While thinking about a top ten list of the things Jesus said, I would like to add yet another. To the woman apprehended in the world’s oldest profession Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” Please note, He did not place her on probation. She did not have to prove herself with six months of good behavior. He understood her. He knew her past. He knew her situation. Best of all He knew her future – a place in His kingdom. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
This occurred in the midst of a prove-yourself religion. The culture was all about righteous behavior measured by a strict set of rules. Jesus isn’t saying that obedience isn’t important. Of course it is. Obedience keeps us from harming ourselves and others about us. But what it doesn’t do is earn us a place in His kingdom. The purpose of the law is to protect us from ourselves. Obedience to the law keeps us alive until we are old enough to understand why God, our protective Father, gave us the law. That is why Paul says the law is a school master. Eventually we graduate and live safely and sanely. The law is written on our hearts. “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Galatians 3
Did the woman leave Jesus and continue on as usual? We should never believe that. To all her customers she must have said, “Out of business.” That’s just like us. Once we have Jesus we are out of the sin business.
Written by Roger Bothwell September 10, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org