Adulterous Woman (John 8:3-11)

It can be difficult for people to break free of their past reputations. Ex-prisoners may find it hard to convince potential employers that they are reformed. People who have recovered from mental illness may still be viewed with suspicions by neighbors. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis can cause negative effects on people's attitudes.

I remember not long after I was in the ministry I was appointed to a charge of three churches in south Choctaw County, Alabama. Before I entered the ministry I had been a security technician (read bouncer) at a local nightclub. Some of the people in one of these churches knew this and I experienced the hometown prophet syndrome. (see Luke 4:24) My reputation had preceded me.

In the story about the adulterous woman (John 8:3-11), those who brought the adulterous woman before Jesus were ready to publicly humiliate and condemn her for her immoral behavior. Jesus clarified the situation by turning the accusers back on themselves, forcing them to think about their own morality.

Among the attitudes Jesus denounced, self-righteousness ranked high. It indicated a deadly level of pride and a lack of forgiveness that had no place in the kingdom of God. Pride is a terrible thing. it can cause so much destructive behavior. (see Proverbs 11:2, 16:18,and 29:23). Forgiveness is mandated by Jesus; it is not a suggestion. (see Matthew 6;14-15; 18:21). That the accusers had ulterior motives made their actions all the more despicable. In the same way that Jesus told the woman's accusers to examine their own moral conduct, it behooves us all, whenever we feel the urge to find fault in someone, to stop and look at ourselves--in terms of both the character and motive. Only by appreciating our own deficiencies and limitations will we feel compassion for other's failings.