This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:3-12
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When I saw this picture yesterday it once again brought to mind His grace and His mercy not just for this woman but also because of who He is in my life. As I was contemplating and praying about what to share today He showed me a truth about this account that was a little different.Usually when I read this account I must admit I'm focused on the people involved, the pharisees, the woman and even Jesus or the big huge question of the day, "What did He doodle in the dirt?" Usually its about one particular aspect or one person's response but today is different because it is a look at the whole account all at once with these two verses in mind.
"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Genesis 50:20
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
The thoughts and purposes of those that brought the woman before Jesus were not meant for good. The intent and purpose was to have her stoned to death. The intent was to test Jesus and to condemn Him if He didn't agree with what Moses said in the law. The intent and purpose of the enemy is always to kill, steal, and destroy. With God it is always different! Jesus came to seek and to save the lost! Jesus makes a way where there is no way. Jesus turned the intent and purpose of the enemy around and instead of this woman losing her life she gained so much more! Instead of condemnation and death she received, grace, mercy and her life when Jesus, spoke these words, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."
It is not His heart to see anyone lost. It is His heart and His provision on the cross that makes a way for all of us to escape the eternal condemnation that we, like this woman, deserved. It is because of His love, His mercy, His grace that He makes a way for us no matter what the situation. If we will come before Him and let Him perform His will in the situation it will always result in His love winning out over any intent of the enemy. Trust Him to work it out even if in the process His will involves something as simple as writing in the dirt or as amazing as dieing on the cross because His plan will always result in the love of God shinning through.
The truth is this account isn't really about what He wrote in the dirt (despite my curiosity) or the plans of man. It is about the outcome. A woman's life was saved by the actions of the Lord Jesus Christ despite the intent of the enemy and the truth is; no matter what plan the enemy comes up with it is not enough! It will never be enough because ...No weapon formed against you shall prosper...Isaiah 54:17 HIS plan is the only one that matters and His plan will always give you a future and a hope in Him. Jeremiah 29:11
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