Win/Win With Jesus

Lose/lose trick questions were the tactics of the teachers of the law and Pharisees of Jesus’ day.

John 8: 3-11
The Pharisees and teachers of the law brought a woman before Jesus claiming she was caught in adultery. They wanted his assent to stone her according to the Jewish law. They were not really interested in the condition of sin as they were in trapping Jesus into a decision. If he said to “stone her”, he would be siding with the law but giving directions against Roman government that forbade the Jews to carry out executions. If he had said “let her go”, then he would not be following the law of Moses. Jesus shifted the focus from the trap of judgment to the issue of sin. Dealing with sin is what Jesus came to earth for.
  
keep calmHis instructions were for the one without sin, to begin the stoning. No one could claim to be without sin so they walked away. Jesus was then able to exercise his mercy. He did not condone the sin, he just warded off judgment. He also protected the accusers of the sin of judgment that would come back upon their heads.
    
We just know Jesus did not condemn nor did he allow others to condemn. We do not know whether the woman did give up her sinful life. What if this woman prostitute had a pimp that threatened to kill her if she did not continue? What if she was in poverty and had no other means of getting money? What if… What if… Jesus did not condone the sin, he just exhorted her to leave it. His mercy triumphed over judgment. He gave her a chance to make a change in her life.

What is the chance of making a change in your life is Jesus giving you?