Grace, The Lord’s Nature

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go and sin no more." John 8: 11

Some religious teachers and leaders brought in a woman caught in adultery to the Lord Jesus Christ. They made her stand before the crowd and said to the Lord Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing the Lord Jesus (Read John 8: 1-6). But the Lord Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8: 7. Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Those who heard what the Lord said began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. The Lord Jesus straightened up and graciously asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" John 8:10. And humbly the woman said "No one, sir," And again The Lord Jesus with full of compassion and grace said to the women, "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go and sin no more." John 8: 11.

What a nature and character of our Lord Jesus Christ. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees are a symbol of religiousness. The religiousness looks holy and godly but it tried to kill the sinner without any second chance or hope. No mercy or grace was extended to the adulterous woman. But the Lord Jesus extended His mercy, compassion and grace to the hopeless and sinful person.

See the first part of the verse, "Then neither do I condemn you". These few words proved the very nature and the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ; His forgiving nature and compassionate heart towards the lost. After the Lord extended His grace and forgiveness to the adulterous woman, then He gave her the command of what to do next, "Go and sin no more."

Why He extended His grace (Then neither do I condemn you) first before the comment (Go and sin no more)? Dearest, it is only by His grace we can do His commandment and live a holy life for Him. Only through His strength and His beauty we can walk in His Holiness. It is not by our strength or our will power. It is simply because of Lord Jesus Christ. If you are able to understand the very nature of the Lord Jesus, you will have an exciting journey of life with the Lord Jesus who is full of love, mercy, compassion and grace.