Not The Judge

They knew it and she knew it - this woman knew the religious leaders had her and that she was rightfully accused. There was no denying the fact - she had been caught in the very act of sexual intercourse - and her partner was not her husband but another's.

This story begs for questioning. How did a crowd "catch" her - was she having sex in public? And, where was the also-guilty partner? The same law that condemned her condemned him as well - why had he not been apprehended also?

Regardless of the answers to these questions, Jesus was elected judge over her.

But Jesus did not condemn this guilty woman.

If we miss this story, then we miss the entirety of the Good News...

Jesus was absolutely not desirous to judge the woman. Later in John 8.25 Jesus said, "...but I do not judge anyone..." And, in that same context, Jesus claimed that He and the Father were one ("...if you knew Me, you would also know My Father..." - John 8.19). So, it doesn't take any rocket science to conclude that God's justice is second only to His love - demonstrated by Jesus.

I know a lot of people hold to claims about God's justice. And, they are right - but only until compared to God's love. If, God's love were second to God's mercy, then Jesus would never have come to earth and all would have died in sin. But in light of the fact that God sent His Son to earth to redeem us, it proves that God's love is supreme over His justice. Yes, justice is not ignored, but love found the way to overcome it!

God is good - His faithful LOVE (not justice) endures forever!

Father, I am so glad Your love is Your primary defining characteristic. Thank You for showing me this trait in Jesus!