Neither Do I...

Words are powerful. I regret saying some things as I look back on life. With maturity comes a greater ability to 'hold the tongue.' Little phrases such as 'I love you', 'you're beautiful', you're special' can lift a soul. The negative phrases can be just as devestating. No telling what names she had been called that day. They placed her in front of Jesus. She was condemned, a sinner caught in the act. It was a religious frenzy. Judgment, condemnation, rules, laws, punishment. Jesus played in the dirt while they squabbled, haggled, and destroyed her with their words and looks. Christ asked the question that shattered their religious pride, at least for the moment. Jesus was the only sinless one in the mix. He could have cast the first stone. He could have been a religious zealot, instead He was the compassionate God come in the flesh. He spoke to her as she had never been spoken to before. There was hope, love, grace in His voice. She couldn't believe what she heard. This couldn't be the Word of God, but it was, He is. "Neither do I." Christ didn't come to condemn the world, but to set it free from condemnation & guilt (John 3:16-17). Christ stands at the crossroads between the law and grace of God. He stands not to condemn but to save. She was given a second opportunity. "Stop doing the things that are killing you" Christ exhorted. Quit sinning. Walk in the light. Walk in life. She could because of His grace. Hopefully she did and we will because of His grace. (John 8:1-11). Neither do I...thank you Jesus!