Have you turned on a light at night and heard cockroaches scurrying for cover?  Light exposes things that hide in dark places.

 

One day some religious leaders drag a woman to Jesus, who they had caught having an affair.  They aren’t concerned about the woman at all, or even what she has done.  No, their intention is to trap and discredit Jesus.

 

However Jesus doesn’t answer their question, instead he bends down and writes on the ground with his finger.  We aren’t sure what he wrote, but perhaps it is what he says:  “If anyone has no sinful desires, then he can be the first one to throw a stone.”  Jesus then writes again.  Maybe this time he makes a list of sinful desires.

It’s easy to condemn and criticize others for what they do, but the truth is we all have sinful desires.  Darkness can’t expose what is hidden in darkness, only the light can, and Jesus is that Light.

 

One by one these religious leaders hang their heads and slip away, leaving only the woman.  Has anyone judged her, Jesus asks.  No-one had, and no-one could, except the man now standing beside her.

 

In the presence of the Light, those whose hearts were proud and hard, quickly left.  The woman though, has been shamed and broken. Although Jesus is the Judge, he is not judgmental, but rather offers mercy and forgiveness.  Anyone who comes to him with a humble heart will receive the same grace and kindness.  Let’s have an attitude like this woman, not like those religious leaders!