Encountering Jesus - The Power of Christ’s Mercy

How do we react when we discover someone who has been caught in sin?

As families, we try to give advice to our children and encourage them to live according to God’s will. Others prefer to keep silent to avoid problems and not be accused of their own sins. When we discover that a family member or friend is living a sinful life, especially adultery, many times we don’t know what to do or what to say.

Often, the first thing we do is question ourselves. Why? How? When? Then, we try to justify the sin; and finally, we judge the person.

In John 1:1-11, we see a group of Scribes and Pharisees who find a woman in sin. They bring her to Jesus so that He can pass judgment against her, according to the law of Moses. Jesus, instead of questioning and looking for reasons for the sin, asked those who were not guilty of any sin to throw the first stone (Deut. 17:7).

When you discover others in sin, are you quick to pass judgment? It is God who must judge, not us, so as not to be judged. That doesn't mean we should be silent and hide the sin from our family or friends. It is up to us to show forgiveness and compassion by helping all to move from condemnation to redemption through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

For Jesus, compassion and forgiveness are more important. Jesus did not condemn the woman accused of sin, but he also did not overlook her sin. He dismissed her and told her to sin no more. Jesus is willing to forgive any sin, but we must repent and sin no more. So, when the woman encountered Jesus, she found compassion and forgiveness, and went from condemnation to redemption.

I invite you to attend any of the three worship services we have each Sunday at DS Methodist Church to meet Jesus and move from condemnation to redemption.

Many blessings!

Rev. Jesus Samano