Today, we unpack what is happening in this story. There are so many interesting things. What did Jesus write in the dirt? How did they “catch” her? We notice how they walked away, from the youngest to the oldest. But in the end, we focus on Jesus’ words: “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” What can we learn from this passage?

Shameless plug, here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully, entertaining podcast about church history.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

If you’d like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up.

Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.

You can read today’s passage here.

You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this beautiful Friday morning as we continue our journey through the Gospel of John. Yesterday, we discussed the background and context of the passage we are reading today—John 7:53 through 8:11—and how we can trust its authenticity. We explored the process by which this passage, and the Bible as a whole, came to be, and how our modern translations provide us with a deeper understanding of the text. Knowing the history behind Scripture builds trust in its truth and reliability. Today, we’re going to delve into the text itself and reflect on its meaning for us.

I often think about a quote from one of my seminary professors, Dr. Nick. He used to say that when reading Scripture, we tend to ask questions like, “Who wrote it? When was it written?” But the most important questions we should ask are: “Is it true? And if it is, what does it mean to me?” Let’s keep that in mind as we read and reflect on this passage.

There’s so much to unpack in this passage. A question that often arises when reading this story is, “What was Jesus writing on the ground?” The truth is, we don’t know for sure. Some early scholars, like St. Jerome, speculated that Jesus was writing the sins of the accusers. Others believe that in Roman culture, a judge would sometimes write the sentence down before declaring it. Still, some scholars think Jesus was simply doodling, a practice in Jewish tradition when one is contemplating deeply. Whatever the case, the text doesn’t give us a clear answer because it wasn’t meant to be the focus of the story.

The focus here is on the woman’s accusers, who caught her “in the very act” of adultery. This detail raises some questions, like where the man involved was, as adultery involves two people. It seems that the accusers were less interested in justice and more in using this woman as a tool to trap Jesus.

I find it significant that the elders walked away first after Jesus’ challenge to cast the first stone if they were without sin. I’d like to believe that with age comes wisdom and a greater capacity for grace. This moment reminds us of the need for mercy in our interactions with others. We can’t forget that everyone, even those we disagree with or those caught in sin, bears the image of God. We must be careful not to reduce people to mere objects in an argument, but to see them as human beings, loved by God.

Jesus’ response to the woman is also powerful. He tells her that He doesn’t condemn her, but He also instructs her to “go and sin no more.” Jesus offers both forgiveness and a call to transformation. We are reminded that while we are not condemned in Christ, sin is still destructive. It damages relationships, families, and our own souls. Jesus’ command to avoid sin isn’t about perfection, but about living in a way that honors God and brings life, not destruction.

Of course, we will stumble and sin again—that’s part of being human. But as C.S. Lewis said, the issue isn’t in falling; it’s in refusing to get back up. When we sin, we are called to repent, turn back to God, and move forward, relying on His grace. If you’re carrying the weight of sin or guilt today, remember that in Christ, there is forgiveness. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). You are forgiven. You are free.

As we reflect on this passage, let’s remember that Jesus didn’t cast a stone. Instead, He offered forgiveness, restoration, and a call to a new way of life. Let’s extend that same grace to others and to ourselves, walking in the forgiveness and freedom that Jesus offers.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll pick up with John 8:12 on Monday. Take care!