We have all heard or read the story about the woman being accused of committing adultery being brought before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees and that they had insisted that under the Law of Moses, she should be condemned to death by stoning.
Jesus had replied that, “if there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” When they heard this they went away one by one, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she had replied. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus “go away, and do not sin any more.”
We do not even know her name. Or if her life was not only defended but changed by her encounter with Jesus. There are no tears as she leaves, but I like to think that years later there would have been.
At odd moments during the day: When she looks at her children asleep in their beds; when she waves good-bye to her husband as he walks to work; when she kneads bread in the solitude of her kitchen. A family she never would have had…. A life she never would have had – were it not for such a wonderful saviour. A saviour who stooped to pick her up and send her on her way, forgiven. Whose only stone was a stepping-stone, to lift people up and heal them. No, she didn’t take it as a “let-off.” She had been given a second chance. Some times genuine change brought about by healing come only from self-inspection – not from the judgmental attitudes of others.
No need to recall the past, no need to think about what was done before. For saints have a past, sinners have a future.
