Bishop Keith Butler
Jun 6
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:10-12)
The woman in John 8:10-12 was caught committing adultery. This account in the Gospels brings up some interesting questions about the details that were left out of it. For example, there must have been a man involved in the sin too, but we see no mention of him.
Furthermore, have you ever wondered how the religious elite caught her in the act of adultery? Regardless of how they got it, they had evidence that would condemn her to death by stoning, according to the Law of Moses.
Jesus didn’t meet this woman with anger or threats of punishment. He met her with forgiveness. After He confronted those who would do her harm, He told her He didn’t condemn her. Jesus’ words of “go, and sin no more” show He didn’t forgive to enable further sin, but He forgave her so she would have the strength to live a changed and holy life.
Jesus wasted nothing, and He used this situation, which gathered a crowd, to tell them He is the light of the world. This descriptive name of Jesus tells us He always brings truth to dark situations. The woman caught in adultery was in a dark place, but with Jesus’ forgiveness, she walked away as a reflector of His light.
You and I are called not only to forgive others, but to drive out the efforts of darkness in the lives of those around us. As children, we sang, “this little light of mine,” but Christians are not little lights. They have the same light of life as Jesus because He gave His light to us.
How can God use you to defeat darkness today? Look for opportunities to speak life to someone, pray with someone, forgive or encourage someone. Be the light of Jesus and change atmospheres today. Be bold, step out, and act in faith.