Who Are You When You Pray?: 7. The Sinner - Adulteress

John 8: 1–12

You may be wondering after reading this one why the adulteress is included in this series because she hardly says two words to Jesus, but that’s the thing that made me think. She never says a word until verse 11 – why? – well maybe it was to do with custom and culture but I think its more to do with the fact that she knew she had done wrong. She didn’t try to deny it but she faced her charge. She was brought before the man who one day would judge the living and the dead and she was full of sin, she could not deny it.

Sometimes we need to be like that in prayer instead of trying to convince God it was someone else’s fault or make excuses so it doesn’t seem as bad, but inevitably God knows and sees all.

Therefore when you need to come in repentance, come with a humble heart, come with an honest heart, knowing that you come before the One who knows your heart better than you do. It says in 1 John 1: 9 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'

If we confess, then Jesus will forgive – just as he forgave the adulteress.

Sara Hesbrook

2003-06-09