In John chapter eight, a group of sinners brought a single sinner to Jesus (see vv. 1-11). You could call it a tale of two sinners: the rank sinner and the religious sinner. One was obviously a sinful person; the others were sinful persons, but not so obviously.
The overt sinner was the woman caught in adultery. The covert sinners were the Pharisees who brought the woman before the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ manner towards the woman was amazing. She had been dragged into the temple courts by her accusers. She was no doubt ashamed and embarrassed, but He dealt tenderly and gently with her. I believe it’s that gentle nature of Jesus that brought a conviction to her, causing her heart to turn toward Him and trust Him.
The Bible says it’s the goodness of God that leads a person to repentance (see Romans 2:4). Sometimes it’s not the pointed finger, but the attitude of “I accept you as you are. Let Me heal your wounds, love and encourage you, and show you a better way.”
The Pharisees were also convicted in their consciences (see John 8:9). They had stones in their hands, but they dropped them and walked away. It’s interesting. She was convicted, and that conviction drew her to Jesus. They were convicted, and their conviction drove them away from Jesus.
Sometimes a person will come to church and hear truth and be convicted, but then get angry and think, “I’m out of here, I don’t like what he said.” The guilt they’re feeling should lead them to Christ, but instead they’re driven away. Others hear it and say, “I need to be forgiven by this Jesus.” And that goodness and gentleness of God draws them in.
The story illustrates how sinners treat other sinners: harshly. We sinners are good at pointing fingers at othersโbut not so much at ourselves. We smell our sin on other people and think, “What’s that stink?” The sin of others highlights our own sinfulness, and we don’t like that.
We also see how the law treats sinners. “No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law” (Romans 3:20, NIV). In the old covenant, a death sentence was often pronounced for breaking the law.
But then we see how Jesus treats sinners. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
When you don’t understand God’s grace, you’re quick to pick up stones. But when you’re saved by God’s grace, you think, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” Being saved by grace takes you out of the stone-throwing business and puts you into the compassion business.
When people say, “I have to clean up my act, then I’ll come,” I say, “Why don’t you just come now?” “Well, I don’t want to be around all you good folks.” And I say, “‘Good folks?’ I don’t know any. I’m not one myself. I’m a sinner saved by God’s grace. You’re welcome to come as you are.”
But be warned: When you come as you are, He’ll take you as you areโbut He won’t leave you as you are. That’s what I love about Jesus. He knows just how to clean us up and take us along the road from glory to glory.
