John 8:7  
Jesus said, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
By this time, Jesus had become a deeply controversial person in Jerusalem, and the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law were looking for a way to trap him. They brought to him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. Presumably they also caught a man at the same time but, interestingly, we hear nothing of him. The religious leaders reminded Jesus that according to the law of Moses, anyone who committed adultery should be stoned to death. They wanted to know Jesus’ response. It was a clever trap because if Jesus suggested that he disagreed with the Mosaic law, they would have had all the proof they needed that he was a heretic. But if he took a hard line and encouraged the stoning of this woman, his reputation for kindness and compassion would be shattered, and he would also have run into difficulties with the Romans who were proud of their exclusive right to execute people.
Jesus’ response was incredibly wise. Saying nothing, he stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. We have no idea what he wrote but he clearly frustrated the religious leaders who were desperate for an answer that would trap him. His brilliant response was that the one who was sinless should throw the first stone. Then, one by one, the woman’s accusers slipped away. John notes, fascinatingly, that it was the oldest who left first, suggesting that they had the greater awareness of their own sin. 
Once everyone had left, Jesus asked the woman where her accusers were. “Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” he asked. “No, Lord,” she replied, to which Jesus responded: “Neither do I.  Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11). Jesus wasn’t in any way suggesting that what the woman had done was OK. He identified it as sin, and told her not to continue in it. The woman must have been amazed by the grace and gentleness of Jesus, which stood in such sharp contrast with the harshness of her accusers. Jesus wasn’t condoning her sin or treating it lightly, but he was lovingly encouraging her to live a life in line with God’s will. 
Question: How should we respond to people who flagrantly disobey God’s rules?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for times when I have been harsh and judgemental of others. Help me to reflect your loving heart in all that I say and do. Amen

Released on 23 Jul 2022