“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.” John 8:10-11
There are many examples in the Gospels where Jesus showed compassion towards women. This story in John is one of them. Desiring to find a way to accuse Jesus, some Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman before Him. They said that they had caught her in an act of adultery. I have often wondered where the man involved in this sin was. It seems to me there should have been two guilty people.
Jesus did not condemn the woman; He simply stooped down and wrote on the ground. What He wrote is not clear, but it caused her accusers to drop their stones and slink away quietly. Then He looked at her in compassion and love, offering her forgiveness and told her to go and sin no more.
In a previous post, we mentioned Jesus being interrupted on his way to Jairus’ house. A woman who had suffered for many years pressed her way through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. He did not condemn her for what she had done but spoke words of compassion.
Luke 8:48 “And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
In Matthew 15, a Gentile woman approached Jesus, seeking healing for her daughter. He did not turn her away.
Matthew 15:28 “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
At the well in Samaria, as recorded in John 4, Jesus promised living water to the woman of Samaria. Her need was great, but Jesus had the answer.
Jesus treated the women He met in His travels with dignity and respect. He did not condemn them. He saw their need and met it, giving them hope for the future.
Thought For Today: What do you need from Jesus today? He knows all about it. He is more than willing to hear your prayer, and He will not turn you away.
Devotion by: Anne Johnston
