The lesson today is one of that was avoided by the early Church and was even left out of some early manuscripts. This is Jesus second discourse in the temple. Only a day or so before this event, many had marveled at his doctrine. The jealous Jewish leaders accused him of having a devil. Jesus rebuked and embarrassed the Jews for their inconsistency. They were giving the devil credit for the miracles of Jesus. The envy of the Jews caused them to seek to kill him. Jealousy and envy are the root cause of so much destruction in the world. Official officers were sent to formally arrest Jesus, but every attempt fail. Now they seem to have the perfect solution to their problem. They have found a woman with a problem that provided a new opportunity to ensnare Jesus with his words. It would pit the compassion of Jesus against the Law of Moses.
Jesus had taught all day in the temple the day before. Overnight he had retired to a hillside of the Mount of Olives. We are not told why. Maybe no one welcomed him to their home or maybe he feared staying in the city or maybe He wanted to get away from the tension and pressure of ministry. Yet, Jesus returned early in the morning back to his duty, back to the house of prayer, he sat and taught all who came unto him. The scribes and Pharisees, who were learned men who study the Law systematically, the legal experts of the day, decide to bring this woman to Jesus. Finally, they have a perfect situation. They could combine their efforts and trap Jesus together. We are told their motive to trap Jesus with his words.
They have no desire to bless their community nor hold up God’s standard. They had no interest in the woman or what she was going through. They wanted to expose Jesus as a teacher without compassion or expose as a teacher who did not practice or regard the Law of Moses. These were men who had a great reputation, the most popular sect, they practiced both the Law and the traditions of the Elders.
Notice, they barge in to take control. They have the woman in custody, they arrest the crowd by cause a disturbance, and now they seek to control Jesus. They force the woman to sit in his mist, with a captive audience, they list the charges against. They bring the formal charge of adultery against the woman with several credible eyewitnesses. “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” The woman plight was bleak. She was guilty as charged. Not one time did she deny the charge or complain about the harsh treatment she had received. Her head was bowed in sin and shame. Sin because she had transgressed the commandments of God; shame because had been caught and openly exposed. The evidence was clear. The law against her was clear. The pharisees and Scribes knew the Law. They were attempting to use this woman as a pond in their scheme. In this one move, they could condemn the woman, turn the crowd against her and turn them away from the influence of Jesus. One slip of the tongue would be the end of Jesus.
1. The Woman Is An Example of Every Sinner. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Her case seems to be open and shut. No additional witnesses need to be called. No jury needs to be selected. All that is needed is the pronouncement of the Judgment. As guilty as this woman was, with the sure sentence of death abiding, they call Jesus Master and ask, “What sayest Thou? The day before they called Jesus a deceiver, a devil and no prophet at all, now they flatter him by calling him Master! Though the woman is guilty, she finds herself in the right place, at the feet of Jesus. The foot of Jesus is the starting place for forgiveness and acceptance.
2. The Woman’s Situation Did Not Cause Jesus Alarm. Even though the accusers said, “we caught her in the very act.” Jesus ignored them, the crowd, the woman and wrote on the ground. What he wrote is unknown but notice his calm response. Every one of us may have found ourselves in situations so shocking, we thought it surprised God. The men of our text would not accept Jesus’s silence and continued pressuring him for a response. What do you say?
3. The Woman Finds Herself, Guilty But Not Condemned. Jesus gives a short and to the point answer. “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Although Jesus was not the Magistrate, he was following Jewish protocol in which the key witness was to inflict the first blow. Sometimes that meant pushing the victim over the brow on a hill, at other times, casting the first stone. Jesus’ response exposed the plot of his critics, and at the same time, he stirred the conviction of their conscience. Many reasons are suggested, but they are just speculations. Maybe Jesus answer caused his critics to realize that their plot was more sinful than the woman’s deed. Maybe his answer caused them to remember that the Law required them to bring both the man and the woman. Maybe something Jesus wrote on the ground pricked their conscience about their own lives. Here what I know, the woman was guilty but was not condemned. This lesson teaches us that God is not nearly as interested in condemning people as we are. No matter where we find needy people, we ought to bring them to Jesus. He knows how to handle every situation.
4. Jesus Has A Response to Every Situation and to Every Person. The condemning accusers dropped their stones and walked away. The woman lifted her head and opened her eyes. Jesus sees her weakness; she is alone and hurting. Jesus asked two questions, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. The woman somehow recognized the Lordship of Jesus. She did not deny the charges, nor justify what she did. She was guilty as charged, and what she needed was a new beginning. The passage was so controversial, many wanted it dropped from the cannon of Scripture. Then it was added, but seldomly used, “And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Jesus was not excusing her actions or belittling her offense, he was offering a new start.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Ps 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Jesus still offers a new start. Religion might condemn you. Churches may not accept you. A thousand doors may be closed to you, yet Jesus offers a new beginning. May of us today are like the woman of our text. Guilty on many charges, with a line of accusers pointing their fingers because of our past behavior. We too have been caught in the very act of lying or cheating or worst. We have failed others and disappointed ourselves, yet God will forgive. We are guilty of wasting our time, resources, talents, sinning against God and man. Even though we have make many mistakes and have missed the mark, God is waiting with opened arms. Yes, we have failed to reach our goal or live up to our potential, all we need is a new start. We are guilty but not condemned. Jesus simply said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” You can start over afresh! You can have a new day.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Ro 8:1, 31-34 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
