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 midst" (John 8:3).  I my mind, I see a group of hypocritical and self-righteous men flinging the poor girl at the Master's feet and encircling them shouting jeers and taunts and creating quite the scene, thus attracting something of a crowd.  In this setting, Jesus does for her what he does for you and I every time we approach Him seeking mercy: he "stooped down" (John 8:6).  In so doing, He placed Himself on her level.  He no longer towered above her like a god or a judge.  Rather, He too heard the jeers and taunts from the crowd above Him.  He felt the hate and disgust.  He saw her as a person and empathized with her unimaginable shame.

When we find ourselves proverbially "cast in the midst," Jesus "stoops."  Every time we call, be comes down to our level to feel what we feel.  Our shame is safe with Him because He feels it at our level, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.  This is the great equalizer of the atonement and why Jesus can be the fairest judge.

Second, after His famous proclamation that "he that is without sing...first cast a stone at her" (John 8: 7), the crowd departs leaving Jesus and the woman alone.  It is then that he addresses her directly, saying "Woman, where are those thine accusers?" (John 8:10).

This title, “Woman” is recorded two other times by John (see John 2:4 and John 19:26) when Jesus addresses his mother with this same title.  It is not just any title.  One can only assume that Jesus would always comply with the fifth commandment (Honor thy father and mother) and show His mother only the utmost respect.

As she withered in shame after being dragged through the streets and paraded as the epitome of infidelity, and as she awaited the judgement, and literal stones of her accusers, how sweet, reassuring and elevating this title must have been in the ears of the accused. To go from being called the vilest of sinners to being addressed as a queen (by He who fully knew the sinners state) must have filled her heart with assurance and confidence that had not been felt in a very long time, and may have given her the strength to “sin no more.”

Thank God for a Savior who stoops to our level to know and understand us at our worst so that He can raise us to His level and see us at our best.