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| photo by my niece Tarah Elise Duarte |
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
The woman was caught red-handed. In the act of adultery.
CAUGHT! People KNEW what her sin was.
And they made it public. They made her stand before the group.
They wanted to make a spectacle of her.
They wanted her to be uncomfortable.
They wanted her to be punished.
And according to the law she was to be stoned. That is some serious punishment!
But Jesus, when approached and reminded of the law, said he who is without sin should cast the first stone. (my paraphrase)
He who is without sin. Let’s see…that is NO. ONE.
And one by one they left.
Her accusers all left. Every last one of them. Were they sinners too?
She walked away a free and forgiven woman.
Her sin was one that was seen and known.
Many of my sins are not seen. They are hidden from the people around me or from the people outside my home and some sins even from those I live with and see on a daily basis. Jesus sees them, but you don’t. My family doesn’t.
Even though they are not seen by everyone…they are sins nonetheless.
Jesus forgave the women.
He forgives me.
I pray that I can see past the public sins of others. Sometimes it is hard for me to do. And when I discuss such things with my husband, he is quick to point out that public sins are no more sinful than a hidden private sin. They are just public.
And he is right.
I am thankful for forgiveness of ALL my sins…both public and private and I pray that I will be less judgmental of people – no matter their sin.
This is a good word, Mary, and I loved what your husband says–he sounds like such a Godly man–
Great post!
Thanks, Dianne…he is a Godly man and one of my best blessings!!
This has been a topic of great interest in my family these past 25 years. It is so easy to judge others by what we see… but we forget to look in our own hearts for what is there but hidden. Excellent post today. Thanks for sharing on Hear it on Sunday link-up.
Thank you for stopping by Kate. It IS easy to judge based only on what is seen…very easy.
It is hard to let things go when you SEE them, but yes, the unseen are just as bad, and sometimes worse because they create a cloak of secrecy that can breed more sin. I pray too for compassionate eyes toward all who sin because I am in that group myself. Grateful for grace!
That cloak of secrecy…you are right, Lisa, I believe it does breed more sin.
Ah, yes. I worry more and more about my unseen sins. They are a lot more prevalent that the ones that show. Praying along with you and heading over to Michele's site….
Oh sweet friend…I love your honesty!
Dear Mary
I was just discussing the verse with my husband yesterday where our Lord said that anything not done in faith is sin. And that, dear one, is a broad brush! I don't think we have a clue of all our sins! So glad for His complete forgiveness and for His patience while He cleanses us from all our impurities! Visiting from Michelle's. Have a blessed week.
Much love XX
Mia
Oh, Mia, I am also glad for complete forgiveness!
In my study of Nehemiah, I have been intrigued that Nehemiah mourned for his sin and the sin of his fathers. I have been trying to practice this just a little. I started with mourning the effects of sin in the lives of those I love. Even things like friend suffering from cancer … in a perfect, sinless world, there would be no cancer. It has been interesting.
Fondly,
Glenda
Oh Glenda, this gives me something to think about. Thank you for stopping by.