Jesus stopped and turned to hear these men say that in Moses's law that this kind of sin was punishable by stoning. They asked Jesus what should they do, hoping to catch him in a trap. But Jesus did something they weren't expecting. As these men kept questioning Jesus as to what to do, Jesus bent down and wrote something in the sand. Then he stood back up only to say, "If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Can you imagine the looks on people's faces? What? What did he say? That is what I would have asked? Hey Jesus, this isn't about my sin, this is about her sin? Look at her, at what she has done. Justice is mine! Jesus bent down again and wrote something else in the sand. This time, each man, from the oldest to the youngest walked away. What do you think these men had started to think about? Can you imagine their faces? From anger and ridicule to embarrassment and shame. Here they had come to Jesus to not only catch Jesus in error, but also to have this woman stoned.

And this precious woman. Can you imagine her thoughts? By this time she was hunched over, perhaps kneeling. Did she think her death was near? Because to be honest folks, it didn't look good. I am sure this woman knew of others who had been stoned. But there she stood bent over, listening to Christ. She could see him writing something in the sand. She could hear his voice  "If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." What?  Who is this person? She stayed low to the ground. He was bending down again, and she could hear the footsteps of these angry mean as they left. What was going on? Had her fear, her expectation of death changed? Was there hope, a chance of freedom?

Then an arm grabs her – not to pull her or hurt her, but to embrace her. Jesus would straighten her up. "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? " I can only imagine this woman, as she wiped away her tears, looking around and seeing none of her accusers. "No one, sir" she said. Wow, no one! Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you." Jesus then told her to go and leave her life of sin.

I can't imagine what fear this woman must have felt.  What was she thinking? Where was her family?  Where were her friends? Did she enjoy her lifestyle? Or was she so young, she didn't realize the consequences of her actions? Adultery breaks marriages apart. It destroys families. It destroys people. I understand adultery firsthand and how it can destroy.

I grew up with a father who was never satisfied with just my mother. When I was six years old, I found a letter written to my father from another woman. I gave the letter to my mother. This would begin the downward spiral of my parents' marriage. This letter only confirmed what my mother already knew. Despite her efforts to save the marriage, my father was not interested and continued to commit adultery throughout my childhood. My mother, without a penny to her name and no education or future but a childlike belief in Jesus Christ, left my father.

My father's actions to this day have had consequences on each of my family members. However, because my mother remained committed to her belief in Jesus Christ, she prayed for a faithful, honest and trustworthy man to come into her life. A man who would be there for her. A man who loved Jesus Christ. Yes, my mother had made mistakes but she asked for forgiveness and a new chance with a new husband. God rewarded her and they have been married for almost 30 years. My stepfather (dad) would not only bring love, hope and trust into our family but a consistent walk with Jesus Christ.