GRACE ALWAYS MAKES A WAY OF ESCAPE

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”—1 Corinthians 10:13

One day, when Jesus was teaching in a temple, the scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders) brought a woman to Him who had been caught in the act of adultery.  The religious leaders thought asking Jesus a difficult question regarding this woman would give them the opportunity to accuse Him, and thereby giving them the legal right to kill Him.

“Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?’  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as thought He did not hear.  So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sine among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’  And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’  She said, ‘No one Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’” (John 8:2 -11). 

 

This was potentially the most damaging temptation the scribes and Pharisees ever presented to Jesus.  Much of His wide-spread popularity was because of His teaching about God’s mercy and forgiveness toward sinners.  This was received with great enthusiasm by a people who before this time had been present with only a harsh, legalist, judgmental picture of God.  The scribes and Pharisees often tried to portray Jesus as condoning or practicing sin because of His association with sinners and His ministry to them, especially when it violated Jewish traditions such as the Sabbath.  However, Jesus had successfully turned every attack into a victory for God’s grace and mercy.

 

This time the religious leaders believed that they had cornered Jesus.  If He held to His teaching of forgiveness and refused to stone this woman, He would be in direct rebellion to the Law of Moses, and thus give the Jews the legal grounds they needed to kill Him.  On the other hand, if He stoned the woman as the law declared, the people would forsake Him.  The scribes and Pharisees thought that they had Him trapped without a way of escape. 

As always, the foolishness of God is wiser than me.  Jesus did not condone the sin nor disregard the Law of Moses.  He simply told the one who was without sin to cast the first stone.  As the Holy Spirit began to convict them of their own sin, they all had to leave; therefore, they could not fault Jesus for not stoning the woman.

We all encounter many opportunities to feel trapped and no way of escape; however, in these times ask God for His grace to make a way of escape for you.  Determine that in the times that you feel overwhelmed with anger, hurt, or offended with those who sin against you or someone else, remember how Jesus treated this woman and practice His amazing grace.

Prayer—Father I thank You for Your wisdom and grace to see me through my days, in Jesus Name. Amen.