The Bible says: ‘The Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery…they said to [Jesus]…”in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.”’ Jesus replied: ‘“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her”…When they heard it, they began to go out one by one…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”’ (vv. 3-11 NASB). When someone’s done something wrong, we can often respond by condemning them. That’s what the Pharisees were doing when they brought the woman before Jesus. But the Bible says: ‘How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?’ (Matthew 7:4 NIV). None of us are perfect, and we shouldn’t be judging other people when we’re guilty too. When Jesus raised this point with the Pharisees, by asking those who hadn’t sinned to throw the first stone, they left. When we’ve sinned, God doesn’t condemn us either. ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1 NIV). Jesus meets us in our dark places, our sin and our brokenness. He heals the wounds of our past because His grace is greater than our shame. Where there is sin, His grace is also there. And there’s no limit to the grace He can supply. If we’re feeling the weight of our shameful past and sinful ways, Jesus is inviting us to come to Him. He’s ready to forgive us and set us free.

What now?
Find a fairly decent-sized stone and some poster paints. Paint the words ‘I am forgiven’ on it and decorate it. (Why not send us a photo of your creation to @UCBWordForYou.)