GOD'S Sabbath Rest

The Woman Caught in Adultery

     Mary Magdalene was introduced to Jesus Christ under the threat of being stoned to death. She did not know that she was being used as a pawn in Satan's game of destruction to all who stand in his way. In this scene where religious men determined to swiftly carry out Mary's trial, verdict, and execution, it became instantly obvious that her death or her deliverance would be dependent on the One who stood at the center of the controversy, not just over Mary's sin, but of all sin, through all time. This fearful scene pending a grave injustice by these religious leaders was used by GOD the Father to the blessing of all, but especially to Mary and her family: “The LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.” Deut.23:5.

     Mary, was delivered from death when Jesus defended her against a murderous throng of religious zealots unitedly opposed to GOD, and who thirsted to shed the blood of Mary that they might bring an end to Christ's proclamation, "the kingdom of GOD is at hand." Mk.1:15. The supreme example of Christ's deliverance, from abusive men, is seen in the life of Mary Magdalene. When she was brought before Christ by the lawless priests and the onlookers who followed them, “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.”

     Christ sent the false accusers away in fear for their own lives “beginning at the eldest” (Jn.8:9) when He stooped down to write their own stone-able sins in the sand: sins of conspiring to purposely send a man to entrap Mary into committing adultery with him, seducing her with a deal she couldn’t refuse (whether of bribery or blackmail). And once engaged in the act the religious leaders stormed in, hauling Mary off while letting their seducing agent go free. The Law of Moses demanded for both to be judged, not just the woman (Lev.20:10-14); and yet, only Mary was brought before Jesus. The LORD of Heaven knew it was all a setup designed to ruin His ministry among the people; and these puppets of the devil (masquerading as the servants of GOD) were willing to stone Mary to death to accomplish their selfish aims.

"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." Jn.8:7-11.

     This was the same woman whom Jesus cast out seven devils. And among all of Christ’s followers, including the apostles themselves, none was more steadfast in their faith in Jesus than Mary Magdalene. She was the only one who believed the Savior’s words when He said He was going to die (Lu.9:44; Matt.26:6-13). Even Peter refused the words of Jesus on this (Mk.8:33) in which the LORD had to chide the Devil for leading Peter to reject the Savior’s own words concerning His crucifixion.

     After the resurrection of Jesus, Mary is the first to receive the blessing of the presence and words of the Glorified Christ. She was the last to leave Him at His burial, and the first to greet Him at His resurrection.