Woman: Where Are Your Accusers? Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. The Woman’s Accusers

2. The Woman Accused

3. The Woman’s Acquitter

Introductory Remarks.

1. Our lesson today will discuss the theme: “Woman: Where Are Your Accusers?” Jesus’ words to the mob: "You without sin cast the first stone," convicted her accusers, leaving her uncondemned before the Master. When He stood up, He asked her: "Woman, where are your accusers? Hath no man condemned you? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more," John 8:11. These must have been comforting words to this woman. She had been brought to Jesus, condemned by the mob, ready to stone her to death, but left in the presence of Jesus uncondemned for her sin. Many young ladies have found themselves in a similar condition to some men. To them, I say: "You can find forgiveness in Christ." He'll say to you as this woman: "Neither do I condemn thee: Go, and sin no more,” John 8:11. We will consider three ideas in this lesson.

2. First, we will consider the woman’s accusers. The Master teaches in the temple during the closing days of the feast. The people were excited by His words. He taught with authority and not like the scribes. Jesus is revealing Himself unto the people who loved His teaching of the kingdom of God and His Father's love for them. The Jewish leaders were troubled by His teaching and condemnation of their religious hypocrisy. The leaders sent officers to listen to Him as He taught to tell them words whereby they might condemn Him. The officers returned to the leaders and said: “Never a man spake like this man!" Being angry of having nothing to accuse Him of His teaching, they now formulate a plan to entrap Him, that they might accuse, arrest and condemn the Lord to death. The woman in this event was their hock (victim) in this plan. The leaders would allege she had been caught in the act of adultery. It was a plot formulated by her and the leaders, an ill-conceived scheme to entrap the Master. John has not said anything about the man. Who, by the way: escaped capture (although caught in the very act). You reconcile that picture if you can.

3. Second, we will discuss the woman accused. Now, they had met the burden of proof in a court of Law. Two or three witnesses were in concert with the leaders, who brought the woman to Jesus. The only missing variable was "the man." Where was the man? The Law required that both "parties" be brought before the judge, and stand in shame and hear the testimony of the witnesses in front of the magistrate. The leaders set her down before Jesus and gave evidence of her adulterous affair. Citing "Moses commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting Him, that they might have (reason) to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground…So when they continued…Jesus said unto them, He that is without sin among you let him be first to cast a stone at her. And, again, He stooped down…on the ground,” John 8:5-8. (Text shorten for brevity).

4. Lastly, we will investigate the woman’s acquitter. Jesus will acquit the woman of her alleged charges of adultery and expose the rulers of their intent to entrap Him by using this woman's sin of adultery. While in the presence of Jesus, she sat on the ground with the crowd, looking on and listening to His every word. Desiring only to find “reason to accuse Him” before the people and the other religious rulers in Jerusalem. The Master was not attempting to outwit them; but to outright convict them when He said: “He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her," John 8:7. It was the accuser's right to throw the first stone at the woman. Who were her accusers? No one steps forward to condemn the woman. Why? The accusers would have to bear witness to her and the man: seeing both parties had caught them in the act of adultery (but the man was absent). And at least two or more would have to accuse them before the judge (if they were to stone her to death). They were in an untenable (exposing) condition; unto the Lord. The mob left being led by the city's elders, and the least: leaving the woman uncondemned amid Jesus and His students. Anyone in this condition should know you can find forgiveness with Jesus. With this brief introduction, let's consider point one of this lesson.

BODY OF LESSON

I THE WOMAN’S ACCUSERS

A. The woman’s accusers. The Master has been teaching in the temple and creating a great debate about being the promised prophet and Messiah. It is wise to give some background on the setting for this lesson. The men accusing this woman of her adultery are some of the highest rulers and leaders in the Jewish religion. John provides the background of the lesson. He wrote,