Module 8 Devotionals

Now it’s time to move on and start living a new life free of this pain. I want to leave you with stories of two different women whom Jesus touched and loved… women who are a lot like us!

Try to picture the adulterous woman when she was “caught in the act” by a crowd of angry citizens (see John 8:3). What must she have felt as she was pushed and shoved through the streets, knowing death was imminent? Maybe she wanted to die. Surely, her actions could have been more discrete? Certainly, she was at the end of her rope and probably didn’t care much what happened to her.

Suddenly, she is standing in front of Jesus. Had she heard stories about Him? Did she know by looking at Him that He was the Son of God? How did He look at her? When asked what to do with her, Jesus responded (John 8:7b NIV), “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

The woman’s jaw must have hit the dirt when she heard His verdict. Imagine her shock when the crowd dispersed, finally leaving her alone with Jesus. Jesus stood up and said (John 8:10-11), “ Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you . . . Go now and leave your life of sin.”

This “adulterous woman” was never the same. Her life was new with the forgiveness that flowed from Jesus. Perhaps she had lost her virginity to rape and had been cast out as “unclean.” Without anyone to care for her, she had found employment in the oldest profession. Men only married virgins back then. I believe that Jesus knew all about her past and took pity on her life. He took a moment to give her direction—go, and sin no more.  He says the same to you now.

The woman described in Luke 7:36-50 is inspirational. Picture this man entertaining Christ and feeling “all pumped up” by having a famous person in his house. A “sinful” woman shows up to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. It appears the Pharisee was angry that she had the audacity to come into his home. While Jesus offered her forgiveness, the Pharisees judged her in a conversation with himself as he watched the woman anoint the feet of Jesus.

Judgmentally, this guy thought (Luke 7:39), If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.

Simon’s body language must have been very clear, and Jesus easily read his mind. He took a moment to address his pompous host with a parable. In essence, He relayed a tale of two men who owed money, one of whom was forgiven a greater amount. In Luke 7:42-43, Jesus asked, “ Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

From that point, Jesus drew the woman into the conversation. Gently, He shared that (Luke 7:47), Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

While Scripture isn’t clear that the Pharisee was moved by Jesus’s example, the woman heard every word. The tears that cleansed his feet must have flowed freely; her heart stirred with incredible love. Jesus was right. She had the capacity to love deeply because of the incredible forgiveness personally bestowed upon her.

His smile must have been a balm to her soul. Jesus loves you just like that woman! Jesus knew the value of a humble sinner . . . like you and me! He has your life in the palm of His hand. Trust Him and He will lead your path in every way in the future! God bless you!