by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Covered in Mercy

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’”
John 8:10-11 English Standard Version

I find myself attracted to trees in the dead of winter. They are exposed for the world to see. There is no hiding their true character. Leaves cannot conceal broken branches. Birds’ nests are exposed. A person views the skeletal structure that will one day be hidden by leaves. Every tree looks distinct from others in winter.

The woman with whom Jesus was speaking was exposed. She had been caught in the sin of adultery. She was guilty.

It is interesting in this story how Jesus uses this unnamed woman’s sin to expose the sin of those who were ready to stone her to death. One statement comes from Jesus’ lips that turns this account on its head. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” 

Jesus doesn’t merely lob a rock at her accusers, he hurls a grenade. Those who would have rained down stones on this woman had their character exposed.

The woman remained at Jesus side, but unfortunately, these people walked away from him. Everyone’s sins were exposed, but the woman didn’t run away. Jesus would not leave her exposed. He covered her in words of forgiveness and mercy, words that would change the shape of her tree. “Neither do I condemn you.”

Can you hear Jesus speaking these words to you today? Your sin has been exposed that you might be clothed in Jesus mercy, his forgiveness for you. The woman didn’t need to confess her sin. It was already exposed. The rest of the crowd still hid theirs. God calls us today to stay at his side confessing our sin and receiving his mercy.

It is in this mercy that you and I move forward with hope as we daily leave our life of sin and follow our Savior.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado