Walk to the mess – The safest and most dangerous place in the world John 8:2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. Have you ever been caught red-handed? Have you ever deleted your history on your computer after you used it because you wanted no one to see what you were doing? 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you… Jesus risks everything for this woman. So often, we can picture God as one who is quick to condemn and slow to show mercy. But Jesus does not deal the blow of condemnation to her soul at this moment. She is in the safest place in the whole world, in the presence of Jesus. It’s a safe place because… - Jesus is rich in mercy. Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us… In all of Scripture we are never told that God is rich in anything except mercy. Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve. - Jesus has perfect love. 1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us… - Jesus is the ultimate friend. Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? - Jesus is the great healer. Mark 2:17 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. - Jesus has limitless grace. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. - Jesus is a supernatural Redeemer. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Jesus is our protector. John 10:8 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. But she’s also in the most dangerous place in the whole world – in the presence of Jesus. John 10:8 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” This is also the most dangerous place to be because she is standing before Jesus. And Jesus a spoken to her; “go and sin no more. Don’t do this anymore. Don’t go back to this lifestyle.” Standing before Jesus is a dangerous place because we are exposed. And at that moment of extreme vulnerability and helplessness this is the offer from Jesus Christ. Romans 5:6 (NLT) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Philippians 3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ… So, whatever happened to her? We don’t know. Whatever happened to me? Whatever happened to you?