It was one of those days. I had spent several hours working on a report. I was proud of it. In going over it with a colleague, I came to realize that it needed to be completely redone. It needed a do over.
As our conversation continued, the frustration within was building. Why hadn’t this been better communicated? Did I miss something?The crabbies took over. I had a full on bad attitude. My emotions were a strange mix of self-righteousness and inadequacy. I needed a do over.
The story of the woman caught in adultery reminds me that God is a God of do overs. Jesus knew her sins, her bad attitude, her inadequacies. He still offered her a new life. He offered her forgiveness and grace to begin again, anew.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:2-12 NIV).
She needed a do over. I have needed many do overs. Jesus continues to offer them. I can learn from my mistakes and grow in grace and forgiveness. Whether is something small like today’s crabbies or something large like the woman in adultery, Jesus declares, “Neither do I condemn you.” Will you accept the charge to leave the life of sin?
How have you experienced do overs? How has Jesus said to you, “Neither do I condemn you?” Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.