Early in the morning, Jesus went unto the temple, and all the people came unto him; and the Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and set her in the midst… That was me... I was caught in the very act; at the very moment of my sin it was revealed. They took hold of me there, and dragged me through the streets, announcing my sin to the world. Those who knew me and those who did not reviled me alike, beat me, spat upon me. In my shame, I knew that I deserved it. I was only paying my debt. And that was when they brought me to Him. My Husband-- the one I had betrayed. When they threw my broken body at His feet, I had nothing to do but weep. They recounted my tale, my adultery, in gritty detail, and I lay there and shook in fear and shame. This was my beloved One whom I had betrayed, whom I had left in the hope of finding fulfillment in something else. Why had I left? Why could I not have remained in His arms? What had He done, what had He lacked, that I would do such a thing to Him? With the truth revealed, and my sin surfaced, they continued in their assault. They reminded Him of the penalty for my philandering. They asked Him what to do with me. I felt His gaze on me, but I dared not return it; after what I had done, I knew in my heart what my punishment should be. I nearly desired that He would inflict it upon me, so my shame would be gone, and my disgrace disappeared. Instead, the only response they received was my broken sobs. Too absorbed in my own misery, I don't even remember what happened. All I remember is looking up, and finding no one; it was only Him and I. For a moment, my eyes caught his... but I quickly averted them. I knew He was staring at me, and I lay there for what seemed centuries waiting. "Woman, where are your accusers? Has any man condemned you?" I cringed when He spoke, and then took another appraisal of my surroundings. There was no one. I was all alone with the Man I had betrayed. "No man, Lord," I answered, just above a whisper. I wasn't sure He heard me; I wasn't sure I wanted Him to. I just continued to stare into the nothingness, waiting for His judgment upon me. "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more." He stood to His feet, ever so slowly. I stared in shock as He turned around and began to walk away. I was forgiven? I betrayed His devotion, and that was His response? It was too much for me to bear. I again was thrown at His feet-- only this time by my own will. Unable to stand the mere thought of losing Him, I begged for His mercy, for His forgiveness. Lack of condemnation was not good enough for me, I desired reconciliation with Him, at any cost. I did not deserve it, and I told Him so; but still, the longing in my heart required the attempt. And when my plea was finished, when my eyes refused to pour any more tears, and my mind held back the interpretation of the grief in my heart, all I could offer Him was my bruised, defiled body, covered in filthy rags. And against all expectations, He knelt down, seeming to not even notice the stench of my existence. And from that position, He caressed my forehead. Then, as He gathered me into His arms, He uttered the words I will never, ever forget... "My love, what took you so long?"
Thy Maker is thine husband; for the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed. … In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
God | 
