Not Guilty

Title:  NOT GUILTY

Text:  John 8:1-11

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            After Jesus stooped and wrote on the ground, the only sound was the thud of rocks dropping on the ground and the shuffle of feet.  Jesus and the woman were left along.  The jury is gone, the woman is alone with the judge, and now she awaits the verdict.  He’s still stooped over from writing in the sand.  He seems surprised that she is still there.

            “Woman, where are they?  Has anyone judged you guilty?”  She answers, “No one, sir,”

            Then Jesus says, “And I don’t judge you guilty either.  You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.”

            If you’ve ever wondered how God reacts when you fail, frame these words and hang them on the wall.  Read them.  Ponder them.  Drink them in.  Stand below them and let them wash over your soul.

            Or better still, take Him with you to your own canyon of shame.  Invite Jesus to journey with you back to the sins and failures of your world.  Let Him stand beside you as you retell the events of the darkest nights of your soul.

            And listen.  Listen carefully.  He’s speaking.  “I don’t judge you guilty.”

            And watch.  Watch carefully.  He’s writing.  He’s leaving a message.  Not in the sand, but on a cross.  Not with His hand, but with His blood.  His message has two words:  Not guilty!