June 28, 2026 - Give Me Jesus

Maybe you know what it feels like to be used as bait for someone else’s trap. Its as if You are a pawn in a chess game that isn’t yours to play. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. And someone who just wanted to be right, pointed their fingers at you - and made you question if there was actually any goodness left in you.

Well, as the woman known only for what I was accused of—adultery—I know this game. I wasn't perfect, but it was clear that the men accusing me had an agenda far bigger than my imperfection.

The whole ordeal terrified me. I was likely going to be stoned to death. No, not likely—I was certain my life was over.

And to make it worse I had mourned others, but no one was going to mourn me because of the way I was humiliated.

They never asked my name. My accusers knew nothing of my story, and no one asked whether I would have chosen something different if I'd had a choice. No one asked whether I had been used, because they needed to use me.

I needed someone to see me—my humanity, my shame, my hurt—and it felt like only a miracle could make that happen.

Then they threw me in front of this holy man, Jesus. He was the one they wanted to catch. They shouted their accusations about me, demanding that he agree with them. Then they started picking up stones.

The air felt as heavy as those stones must have been. The stares were just as crushing. Maybe you've never been threatened by literal stones, but perhaps you've been crushed by regret, failure, gossip, disappointment, or by being reduced to the worst thing you've ever done.

I had to wait for Jesus to speak. He had no reason to disagree with the other men. They had the law on their side. They had religion on their side. Would Jesus—a holy man—be any different?

Maybe you know what it feels like to wait to find out your fate.

(Pause for 30 seconds.)

Jesus didn't answer them right away. Instead, he bent down until he was eye level with my crumpled body. Rather than joining the accusations or taking the leaders' side, he simply began writing on the ground.

I have no idea what he wrote. But as he wrote, I felt a hush, a pause in the storm of my life. He was refusing to join the mob against me. It felt like someone seeing me as more than my shame.

The men kept demanding an answer.

Finally, Jesus stood and said,

"Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone."

The shouting stopped, and somehow the silence became even louder.

Then I heard it.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

I took a hesitant peek and realized it was the sound of stones hitting the ground.

I kept waiting for the one stone that would bring my death.

But it never came.

One by one, the men dropped their stones and walked away.

Only Jesus remained.

Only Jesus.

This Rabbi was different. He didn't see me as a pawn in someone else's game. He looked at me, not through me.

With what I imagine was a gentle grin, he asked, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

I looked around just to be sure and answered, "No one, Teacher."

Then he spoke life over me.

"Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more."

What wonderful words. What a wonderful gift from this man, God.

Jesus didn't refuse to condemn me because my sin didn't matter. Not because truth didn't matter. Not because holiness didn't matter. He refused to condemn me because I mattered.

I mattered enough for Jesus to see me, to know me, and to invite me into a new way of living.

The God Jesus revealed is not a God who shames people into transformation. Jesus showed me that God begins change with dignity, not guilt.

Jesus gave me a future; when the religious leaders wanted only my death.

And maybe that's why my story still matters.

Every generation has its accusers.

Every generation has people who are known only by their worst moment.

And every generation needs Jesus.

The Jesus who bends down.

The Jesus who refuses to be swept up by the angry crowd.

The Jesus who restores dignity.

The Jesus who speaks truth without cruelty.

The Jesus who offers a future where others see only failure.

The Jesus who stands beside us when everyone else walks away.

How do you need Jesus today?

Jesus,

Thank you for being with us in the hard times, the good times, the in-between times. Thank you for allowing us to come to you no matter what we have done or what we haven’t done.

Jesus, we ask that you come close to those in hard times.

Jesus, we ask that you celebrate with us like you did at Cana.

Jesus, we ask that hang with us in all the in-between times that allow us to become friends.

Thank you Jesus for your presence.

Amen.