After reading the story of the woman caught in adultery, I kept replaying in my mind the scene that had been described. A woman is caught committing adultery. There must have been a man involved, but she is the one dragged through the streets and not only publicly humiliated, but threatened with death. She is brought to Jesus of Nazareth for judgement. Instead she receives mercy, love and grace.

 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:3-11, KJV)

Jesus of Nazareth told her to “sin no more”.

I believe that through the giving of mercy, love, and grace not only in His actions toward her situation, but also in His words to her, He gave to her the power that she needed to go and sin no more.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29, KJV)

When Jesus spoke, His words ministered grace to those whose hearts and ears were open to hear it and receive it. The Pharisees wouldn’t hear it or receive it. But those who were humble enough heard it and received it.

But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). This is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). (James 4:6, Amplified)

With His actions, with His words, with the look of love in His eyes He ministered to her the power to walk free from sin. He’s still doing that today for anyone humble enough to receive His love, His mercy and His grace. Humble enough simply says, “I need You. I can’t do it without You. Thank You for loving and helping me.”