John 8: 9 – 11
” 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. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’
‘No one, sir,’ she said.
‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.'”
Imagine, if you will, that you have been hauled before the judge and accused of a horrible and heinous crime. The evidence was twisted to make what seemed like what you did was worse than it really was. Instead of condemning you, the judge looks at your accusers and tells them that whichever one of them has never broken a law of any kind may be the one to cast you into prison.
The room goes silent, and you find yourself standing before the judge while he is busy writing some notes on a tablet and ignoring you. The people who brought you before the judge start to leave. Eventually, you are the only one left. The ticking of the clock on the wall becomes louder and louder. Finally, the judge looks up.
“Are you still here?” he says?
“Yes, your Honor.”
“Where are all your accusers?”
“I don’t know, sir. They have left.”
“Then you may leave, too.” says the Judge. “Go and stay out of trouble.”
Granted, that this is not an exact parallel to the story about Jesus yet there are some important points of similarity. One estimate has it that there are so many laws these days, every person alive in this country breaks about 300 of them every day.
Q: How does the forgiveness of Jesus feel and how does it affect your choices in the future?
It feels amazing, but also hard to really accept at times. It definitely affects how I live, there is a peace and freedom in forgiveness. It helps me not get stuck in the sun and guilt.
The forgiveness Jesus offers is a game changer. The response to love and serve Him is easy considering what He has done for me.