The
flashing lights of the police car drew my attention to a motorist who had been
pulled over for a traffic violation. As the officer, ticket book in hand,
walked back to his car, I could clearly see the embarrassed driver sitting
helplessly behind the wheel of her car. With her hands, she attempted to block
her face from the view of passersby—hoping to hide her identity. Her actions
were a reminder to me of how embarrassing it can be when we are exposed by our
choices and their consequences.
When a
guilty woman was brought before Jesus and her immorality was exposed, the crowd
did more than just watch. They called for her condemnation, but Jesus showed
mercy. The only One with the right to judge sin responded to her failure with
compassion. After dispatching her accusers, “Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I
condemn you; go and sin no more’” (John 8:11). His compassion reminds us of His
forgiving grace, and His command to her points to His great desire that we live
in the joy of that grace. Both elements show the depth of Christ’s concern for
us when we stumble and fall.
Even in our most embarrassing moments of failure, we can cry out to Him and find that His grace is truly amazing.
