“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and knowledge of the God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 

Throughout time that has been such a missed point.

God is so holy and so magnificent and great in power that he could destroy us in a blink, if he were truly like some teach, we would never stand a chance.

The Pharisees of the day had this same problem, they adhered to every single law but never understood the need for compassion.

And never understood his compassion.

They were hard and cruel and assumed that he must be also, but they were so wrong.

The attributes he desires for us are far greater in value to him than all we could ever sacrifice and all they burnt offerings that could ever be offered.

One of the greatest accounts of his mercy in comparison to human mercy is our text for today.

It details his idea of mercy and proves that just because we have a perceived “right” to exact judgment, that we ourselves must admit our own wrongdoing and accept punishment for it before wishing to punish another. 

With that realization the need will all have to be shown mercy becomes quite clear.

This is probably a very familiar story, according to Mosiac law, adultery was punishable by death and the bloodthirsty crowd had brought the lady involved to Jesus knowing he would show mercy and that wanted to accuse him of not following the law.

They also conveniently left her partner behind. I don’t know, he could have been a fast runner and split when they were found together, he could have bought them off, or he could have been one of their buddies.

I have no clue, but this was an act committed by two.

But she found herself terrified and alone facing a certain death by being stoned. We’ll pick it up at their demand:

John 8:3-11: ” And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst (middle),

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. 

But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman in the midst.

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

They are countless wonderful stories that really shed light on the personality and character of Christ, but this one is one that goes straight to the heart.

He is so beautiful and kind, notice he never questioned her, only to ask where those were who accused her and to remind her not make the same mistake again.

He never asked her to hash out the sordid details, never questioned her life. He never asked where her partner was, who he was, or what she was thinking.

Nothing, just grace, kindness, and forgiveness.

Now that’s Jesus and he and he alone is Lord!

Please join me next time and we’ll wrap this series up with some verses of mercy to remember all of our days, he gives it, and no man can take it away.

Love & Peace to you today! NBJ 2024/ Rev. N Brown Johnson