John 8:1-11 The Adulterous Woman

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them.  The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,  they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.  Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.  But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.  Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”  She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
The New Testament is filled with scenes with the religious leaders pitting themselves against the Son of God trying to condemn Him.  In today's instance the base their case on the Law of Moses as though it is somehow superior to  the Law of God.  They did not realize or accept that One who is greater than Moses is among them.  They knew he had tendencies toward mercy and grace so they felt that a woman caught in the very act of adultery would be a worthy test for such a man.  What could He say?  Instead of spending His words, He leans down to the dirt of the ground to write something.  He probably wrote about some condemning deed of His accusers. Suddenly the fight against Jesus was undesirable and all except Jesus and the accused left.  Jesus chose not to condemn her but told her to go and sin no more.
Daily Prayer:  Lord, among the siblings of men there is none who has not sin, no not one.  For this reason, let us spend our time building faith in you and not being found to be accusers.  Let us realize the depth of our own sin and the grace which has forgiven them.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.