The Recipeint Of Love Series

Read Text: The Gospel of John 8:1-11

(1) Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (2) And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

(3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

(5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

(6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

(7) 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. (8) And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

(9) And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

(10) When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

(11) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

PRAYER:

What is the best news you have ever heard?

What were the sweetest words you have ever heard?

In our passage, the most undeserving person found herself in the most uncomfortable situation and may have thought that only the worst thing could happen.

She may have closed her eyes, begun to pray, thinking surely this would be the end.

Then, the most beautiful words she had ever heard spoken came to her ears.

Five beautiful, life-giving words written by the finger of God; you might say they were “Neither do I condemn thee!”

It’s the story of a woman who could have died, should have died, yet because of LOVE, she lived! She became “The Recipient of Love!”

I. THE SETTING: 8:1-2

(1) Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (2) And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

This was a special time and place, which should also be special to us…

Jesus’s morning with his Father. Quiet time, devotional time.

Next, notice…

II. THE SNARE: 8:3-6a A trapped woman used to trap the Master!

(3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

(5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

(6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.

1. The Picture: The Master’s teaching is interrupted! A group of religious leaders, dragging a partially clothed woman with them!

2. The Participants: The Scribes and Pharisees, and the unnamed Adulterous woman.

3. The Plot: They seek to present a moral dilemma for Jesus!

They brought to Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery, and

Note their motive in verse 6, “that they might have to accuse him."

4. The Predicament: They sought to lay a “Snare” for Jesus, entrap Him, embarrass Him and discredit Him before all the people.

Next, notice how He responded to their arguments, (verses 6b-8).

III. THE SAVIOR: 8:6b-8

But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

(7) 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. (8) And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

NOTE HOW OUR LORD DEALT WITH THESE SCHEMING MEN.

1. Jesus appears to Ignore Them -

His silence provokes them to insist on an answer, “they continued asking him”

2. Jesus answers their Question: The answer is at once definite and effective. "Let him that is without sin first cast a stone at her."

(1) He does not say—Let her be stoned. That might present him as harsh and unmerciful.

(2) He does not say—Let her not be stoned. That would be to oppose the Law of Moses.

(3) He carries the question out of the judicial sphere altogether.

3. Jesus addressed their Conscience: He knew their heart.

He continues to teach. He uses object lessons, his finger and sand.