NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU
NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU
Condemnation is a word that many truly dread,
Everything is lost when one’s reputation is dead!
This was the plight of a woman who was caught in sin,
No one dared to stand up for her because of fears within.
A sinful woman was brought to Jesus with a contemptuous sneer,
How would this great Teacher handle the sin that was so clear?
Jesus refused to be drawn into what He knew was a wicked deed,
He chose instead to write on the earth with His teaching reed.
The clamour against the woman grew and grew
The accusers insisted that Jesus gave His judgment true.
They thought that He would condemn the woman as they did,
What else could He do but uphold the law that Moses had decreed?
Jesus looked up and turned to the smirking, self-righteous men,
“He who is without sin… let him cast the first stone to condemn!”
There was a stunned silence as the multitude heard these words,
To dare to throw a stone at the accused woman was now absurd!
Silently the wicked began to move away and disappear,
Only the woman was left kneeling with her fears.
The people who were her accusers were convicted deep within,
No one could deny the personal and deadly grip of sin.
“Has no one condemned you?” These words were tenderly said,
The woman looked around and gratefully shook her head.
She looked up and whispered, “No one, Lord,” with some tears,
“Neither do I condemn you” Jesus replied, to allay her fears.
The humble silently applauded this loving approach,
Too long had they suffered words of deep reproach.
This was surely the way of a compassionate Lord,
Jesus had shown the deep and gentle heart of God.
John 8:1-11