When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who was allegedly caught in the act of adultery, they demanded that He pass judgment on her right away. They said, “Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” (John 8:5).
Whether she was guilty of adultery or not, Jesus knew. After all, He was God in the flesh (cf. Colossians 2:9). Yet in their attempt to judge her according to “the Law,” they were missing a crucial piece of evidence required by the Law in order to pass judgment – the man who committed adultery with her (Leviticus 20:10).
Since they did not have this evidence, they were trying to condemn her in a way that was not in harmony with the Law. Furthermore, the Law specified that the witnesses were to cast the first stone (Deuteronomy 17:7). Yet we know there were no witnesses because all of them left when Jesus said that the one without sin was to cast the first stone (John 8:7). Since no one was a witness, no one could cast a stone without sinning.
After all the accusers left, Jesus told the woman, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11). In extending mercy to her, Jesus was also demanding much of her – to give up a life of sin (whether adultery or anything else). He has called us to do the same (cf. 1 John 2:1).
So respond to mercy with obedience. Though we deserve punishment for our sin, Jesus offers us mercy. Let us not continue in sin, but instead obey Him.