Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Forgiveness in a Temple Courtyard


Some Pharisees worked hard to employ
What they created, a brilliant ploy
Defending their power at all cost
They refuted Christ’s work to reach the lost

In a temple courtyard, Jesus taught
In a temple courtyard, a woman they brought
The sin of the woman was adultery
Her fellow culprit remained scot-free

In a temple courtyard, the woman was blamed
In a temple courtyard, the woman was shamed
The Mosaic Law set a demand
Death it was, which was at hand

For those elite leaders, no need to sway
They were going to win either way
They asked their question at bay
“Now Jesus, what do you say?”

Was that punishment ever used
Since the time of the judges, I mused
If Christ said “Yes,” He would be hated
Far beyond being berated

But the letter of the Law was clear
Death to the couple, despite any tears
If He said “No,” He was not sublime
They would accuse with a conscience of slim

No idea what He wrote in the dirt
Their harsh anger, could Christ avert?
Pharisees knew they had Him trapped
Thus the question they continued to yap

So Jesus gave them His verdict
A furthering no one could predict
If any person here knows perfection
Be the first to throw in her direction

Jesus wrote again in the dirt
His one sentence did assert
Slowly people shuffled away
A huge crowd with nothing to say

Jesus and the woman were left alone
Oh to hear the voice of Him, His tone
Has no one condemned, not one is nigh
Thus I proclaim, neither do I

Jesus was sinless, so He could stay
Yet His offer was forgiveness that day
And the command He gave for us all
Leave your life of sin, this is My call

Hunter Irvine
An original poem based on John 8:1-11
Scripture Love Blog