John 8:3-11 -- On the Opportunity to Change

"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
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."
John 8:3-11


I was thinking about this parable today and wondering how the woman felt at being in the middle of this whole discussion about bring stoned. Her life must already have been in pieces, being caught in the "very act" couldn't have been a positive thing for her, and then to come before Christ at that point... wow. And yet, even though he was the only one in the room without sin, he also chose not to condemn her, and granted her life. He wasn't telling her that she could do whatever she wanted and it was okay, but he was giving her a chance, just like he gives us a chance, at repentance and starting over and changing our lives. And you have to hope that she took that opportunity after that brush with death, and moved on and changed. Let's also take the chance that we are given to repent and change... to do better and to use our gift of life from God well. Let's find our way to less guilt and more happiness, not through ignoring the commandments, but by working with God to master them, little by little over time. :) That's the way we practice for heaven. :)