John 8:3-6 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.
The scribes and Pharisees continually tried to find ways to trap Jesus. In today's verses we see their lopsided attempt to trap Jesus using the Law. Interestingly, there is no mention of the man who was also guilty of adultery. The requirement, in truly applying the Law, was that both were to be brought forth and stoned. Sadly, this is still the approach taken today within the church. Today, there are local churches that wrongfully go after, discipline, and outcast certain individuals or families, but give a pass to others who openly sin and deserve to be corrected. Loving each other includes holding each other accountable and correcting each other, in love; not just by pointing out each others shortcomings, but by coming alongside each other and helping to restore one another back into fellowship with the Lord. Far too often, mercy and grace are given or denied, not on the basis of God's Word, but on the basis of favoritism, and based on who belongs to the "club". What the scribes and the Pharisees did not calculate was that they were trying to use God's Word to trap God Himself. How foolish are we Christians today to misuse God's Word and think that somehow the Lord is blind to our favoritism and hypocrisy. One day, we will all give account for how we use God's Holy Word to instill our own form of unequal justice, which is not justice at all.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
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