John chapter 8 includes an account of a woman "taken in adultery" and cast before Jesus. This was a trap set by the Pharisees and scribes seeking to discredit the Master with the people. The Law of Moses required that the transgressors of such acts be stoned (Deuteronomy 22:22-24, also John 8:5) but Rome prohibited nations under its rule from carrying out capital punishment. If Jesus recommended the punishment under the Law of Moses be carried out, the Pharisees would accuse him of sedition before the Roman leaders; however, if he upheld the Roman law, the Pharisees would accuse him before the people of placing man's law before God's. He was between a rock and a hard place. This is one of the most tender and illustrative examples of Jesus's desire to forgive before condemn and to employ mercy over justice. But there are two things that stand out as especially touching. First, when the woman is brought before Jesus, John says, "they...set her in the m...