Stones...schemes...sin...and Salvation Series

THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE – JOURNEY THROUGH JOHN

”Stones…Schemes…Sin…and Salvation”

John 8.1-12

John 8 begins and ends with someone about to be stoned by an angry and seething mob. In the first few verses it’s a woman caught in the act of adultery, but by the end of this single chapter there will be stones in the hands of men bent on killing Jesus! Don’t miss a moment!

John 8:1-12 (HCSB)

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 At dawn He went to the temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them.

3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.

5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?”

6 They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger.

7 When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”

8 Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.

9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center.

10 When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “ Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”]

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Context

After A Night on the Mountain: Jesus has spent the night on the Mountain – he often went there for prayer and time away. He needed it…we need it. The demands that were upon Him were enormous, and the need for perspective and guidance critical.

Early Morning Quiet Shattered: How many of you love the early morning time? It’s quiet…peaceful…serene. You can spend time in prayer, thought, preparation, whatever. Listening to birds, watching the dawn break, or sharing instructive moments with students as Jesus was here. These are great moments. It’s abrasive when something shatters that solitude isn’t it?

Enter the Drama of a Life in the Balance

Lives all around us are hanging in the balance, and the only hope and answer for them was the only hope and answer for this wretched life.

STONES IN THEIR HANDS (3-5)

• Can’t you just hear the conversation on the way as they are dragging this poor girl through the streets. “We’ve got Him now! This will be the end of that Jesus!”

They Had Stones in their Hands

• Stones of Judgment

• Stones of Hatred

• Stones of Indignation

• Stones of Self-righteousness

Question: Where Did The Stones Come From?

Perhaps Some had picked them up along the way!

Many probably had the stones before they grabbed the girl.

They were determined – Someone will die This Morning!

Do we pick up stones along the way…carry them with us…always ready?

SCHEMES IN THEIR HEADS (6a)

• Notice – It was NEVER about the girl’s sin.

o The Accusations were True, but irrelevant to their motives

o The Sin had been Serious, but irrelevant to their motives

o The Result would be Disastrous, but irrelevant to their motives

• So – They Set the Trap like pulling back the spring on a mouse trap.

o If Jesus was lenient they could accuse him of disregarding Jewish law

o Go along with the stoning He violates Roman Law and would be arrested

o There appears to be NO WAY OUT…

o You can hear the cheers and see the “High Fives” – “We got him boys!”

SIN IN THEIR HEARTS (6b-9a)

• Remember – NOTHING catches Jesus unaware.

o He is “Disappointed” but not “Shocked” by the girl’s sin

o He is “Discouraged” but not “Surprised” by their schemes

• Jesus Knows What’s Going on Beneath the Surface

o There are Several Elements here that Reveal Significant Things

 First – Where’s the dude? The law required both be executed.

 Second – How did they know where to find her?

 Third – How many of them had been as guilty of this or other transgressions, but thought they had gotten away with it

• Jesus Cuts to the “Heart of the Matter”

o He makes no direct answer to their question

o He bends down and “doodles” in the dirt