You’ve heard her story before – or have you???
She found herself in an ungracious heap at the Teacher’s feet. She had dared to listen to Him a few times, usually from a place of hiding – there was no place among these good people for the likes of her. She had allowed herself to dream that maybe, if she could become a better person, just maybe she could meet Him someday. Never, in her worst nightmares, did she imagine she would meet him like this – caught in her sin, moments from execution by stoning, no defense, no excuse, no place to hide.
Curled up in the dust, without so much as a fig-leaf, she somehow heard the unspoken conversation as the Teacher wrote in the dirt…
“There is a Law! There is a Penalty!”
“Yes. I will pay it.”
“This sin is punishable by Death!”
“Yes. I will pay it.”
“She is Guilty! She chose this life; she brought the consequence on herself!”
“Yes. I will pay it.”
…thud…thud…thud… she heard the stones falling, but didn’t feel the first one. What she felt, rather, was a warm coat being draped over her – His coat. He helped her to her feet, she looked into His eyes, and her heart said “Lord, I am a sinner, I have much to pay for.” He returned her gaze – “Yes. I will pay it.” “Go, and sin no more.”
Out of His abundance of love, grace, and mercy, He paid – there is enough and more for everyone who will recognize their complete inability to pay for themselves – those who fall, without pretense, defense, or excuse, at His feet. These will hear Him say, “Your debt is now mine, no matter it’s amount from time past to eternity, I have paid it.”
So you’ve been saved – you’re beyond the point of needing this information – or are you???
Someone offends you – they’ve caused you pain and they owe you an apology, at the very least. It’s time to pray, and this person’s name comes to mind. You stuff down a snarl and try to resume praying, and you hear:
“How much?”
“What?”
“How much does this person owe you?”
“Well, you know, they…but, Lord, that’s not Your problem.”
“Actually, it is…I have taken on their debt as I have yours, so, how much do I owe you?”
Could you answer that question with anything but forgiveness?
He knows, He understands, and He has already Paid In Full. Go, and condemn no more.