Recently I went on a vision trip to the Dominican Republic (DR) with International Justice Mission (IJM). The mission of IJM is to “Rescue thousands, protect millions, and prove that justice for the poor is possible.” According to IJM, 45 million people are trapped in slavery and forced to work for little or no pay. The Dominican Republic is known for sex tourism. In fact, in the capital city of Santo Domingo alone, there is believed to be 60,000-100,000 women who work in the sex trade.
During my trip to the DR, we visited Boca Chica, one of the most crowded beach communities in the DR. Boca Chica has also become a very popular sex tourist destination. As we walked the strip on Boca Chica, I was struck with the reality of just how much darkness was around the group. You could just feel the wickedness in the air.
In John 8, we are introduced to a woman who was caught in adultery. The Bible never even mentions her name, we are simply told she was brought to Jesus by the Scribes and Pharisees who demanded that she be stoned to death. (v.4-6) Jesus’ response was shocking to them (v.7) “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Everyone dropped their stones and Jesus was left alone with the woman. As you read this story, you expect Jesus to scold the woman in some way and make her understand the wrong she had done. Instead, He asked her a question, “‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” (v.10-11)
It would have been easy to walk through Boca Chica and attempt to condemn the women who were working the street, but Jesus offers us a better message. Right after He told the woman in John 8 to go and sin no more. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (v.12)
Thanks be to God the Father who sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die for ALL of our sins. I’m so glad that by accepting Him into my life, I now have the light of the Lord and never have to walk in darkness again!
My prayer: Lord forgive us for the times when we look down on someone whom You have died and paid the price for. May we always offer the message of Your light which is available to all of us. I pray for those women in the DR, who have no hope and are trapped in the darkness. May Your light illuminate amongst them so they may see that You are the way, truth and the life. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
—Don Davis
Don Davis is a former NFL linebacker, 2-time Super Bowl champion and a regular contributor to The Increase, providing monthly articles and opinions.
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