阅读经文 

乍一看来，这个故事似乎只是简单的三步曲。藉着公开羞辱行淫时被拿的妇人，宗教领袖们尝试陷害耶稣；然而耶稣没有落入他们的圈套，反而令他们哑口无言地离开了；最后耶稣赦免了妇人的罪。

然而，若深入察看这件事，我们便能看到里面其实有很多细节。这是一个复杂的故事，我们甚至可以说，这个故事体现了如何透过温柔——就是温和、坚定有力——引导人改变他们的行为。

宗教领袖们正在玩弄权力；他们利用属灵罪名，首先羞辱了妇人，然后再尝试以此来破坏耶稣的信用。耶稣看透他们令人吃惊的滥用属灵权柄的行为，所以祂起初不理会他们，以免坠入圈套。

后来，当他们继续缠着祂时，耶稣便回应说：“你们中间谁是没有罪的，谁就可以先拿石头打她。”祂仿佛在说：“你们滥用权力，以致你们得不到神的恩典。承认你们的罪、放下那不是从神而来的权柄吧，这样你们才可以找到新生。”

跟着祂便吩咐妇人也要舍弃她的罪、并接受邀请，得到真正的生命。

这位温柔的，能够改变人生命的救主，邀请每一个曾死在罪中的人，真正活过来！有谁能预料到，温柔的态度竟然能够如此彻底地更新人的生命呢？

At first this story appears to have three simple steps. The religious leaders try to trap Jesus as they publicly shame a woman caught in adultery. But instead of falling for their trap, he silences them, and they leave. And then he forgives the woman.

But, looking deeper, we can see there is a lot more going on. This is complex. We can even say that this story shows how meekness—that is, gentle, firm strength—can lead people to change their actions.

The religious leaders are playing power games. They are exercising spiritual abuse first by shaming the woman and then by trying to undermine the credibility of Jesus. Jesus, recognizing their horrific abuse of spiritual power, avoids their trap by ignoring them at first.

Then, as they keep badgering, he responds, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” It’s as if he is saying, “Your power abuse prevents you from receiving God’s grace. Confess your sin, surrender that godless power, and you can find life.”

Then he calls the woman to die to her sin as well, and to be invited into true life.

The meek, life-transforming Savior invites everyone to die and truly live! Who could have known that meekness could be so radically renewing?