Former Blackout Artist

But 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, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:6b-7

The Pharisees dragged a woman before Jesus, caught in the act of adultery. Their motives were not about justice or righteousness. If they truly cared about God’s law, where was the man? The law required both parties to face judgment (Leviticus 20:10). But they weren’t after justice… they were after Jesus. They wanted to trap Him, using this woman’s shame as their weapon.

Imagine her terror. Humiliated, exposed, and waiting for death. The crowd stood ready to stone her, but Jesus did something unexpected. He stooped down and wrote on the ground. We don’t know what He wrote, but His words afterward are unforgettable.

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

One by one, they dropped their stones and walked away. Why? Because Jesus exposed the truth: no one is righteous. Not the self-righteous Pharisees. Not you. Not me.

Romans 3:10 makes this clear: “There is no one righteous, not even one.” We have this tendency to measure sin, ranking others’ failures greater than our own. But in God’s eyes, we all fall short. If we stood before Jesus, accused, what would He say?

To the woman, He said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (8:11). Mercy and truth. Grace and a call to holiness. That’s Jesus.

We all deserve judgment. But Jesus offers grace. We must lay down our stones – our judgments, our pride – and recognize our need for the same mercy He gave that woman.

Is there someone you’re quick to condemn? Are you holding onto a stone, forgetting your own need for grace? Ask Jesus to help you see others through His eyes – eyes of mercy, truth, and grace.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
let the earth hear his voice! 
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, 
and give him the glory, great things he hath done!
– “To God be the Glory” written by Fanny Crosby (1875)