Jesus is hanging in the temple courts, while he was there the religious people of the day brought this women caught in the act of adultery. Not allegedly, not potentially, but caught in the actual act. While Jesus was standing there the religious leaders asked Him, "what should they do, because the book of the law says stone her." I love Jesus' response, rather than argue or prove a point. He gets on his knees and starts to write in the sand. Maybe it's a picture, maybe it's names, whatever it is he is drawing. As they continued to pressure Jesus in hopes to trap him, all he states is, "The person without sin cast the first stone." I can hear the rocks start to drop and hit the sand with a huge THUD. As the oldest religious leaders left to the youngest. The only people that were left were Jesus and the women. Once it was the 2 of them, Jesus stood up and said, "Where are they?? No one has condemned you." She replied, "No One." Jesus then stated a powerful thought, "Neither do I, go and sin no more."
What a powerful story, of compassion. This women probably barely clothed, embarrassed, scared for her life and uncertain of her future standing in the temple with religious leaders who wanted to kill her. Jesus being the compassionate leader that he is, takes this huge mistake and draws in the sand. The mistake had already happened, and Jesus didn't focus on it.
Often times in leadership, we don't have compassion on the mistakes people make. We hold it against them, rather than letting them get better because of those mistakes. Compassion isn't a common trait in leadership, but I believe that in my present and past, people have been patient and compassionate with me to help me grow. Thus, it would be foolish of me to withhold that blessing to someone else. I am not saying that we let people abuse this opportunity, but I am saying giving people a longer leash.
As Jesus has modeled this so well for us. I want to encourage find ways to unlock compassion on others. As you do this watch the response you trigger from people. They will have more respect, honor and will work harder for you than ever before. Try it, you won't regret it.