Continuing our journey through the gospel of John
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
It’s interesting that while the biblical validity of this passage has always been in question – it remains one of the most popular stories in Christ’s ministry today.
The story has deception, adultery, mystery, and forgiveness all in 11 short verses.
Find yourself in the story.
How much energy to do you spend looking for ways to judge and condemn others? (Pharisees and teachers of the law)
Have you ever been caught or on trial for your sins? Really, there’s no such thing as being ‘caught’ before God when he sees the entirety of our lives. While having our deepest sins intentionally shared can be deeply freeing, it almost always seems shameful when they’re ‘discovered’ for all to see. (woman caught in adultery)
Have you ever forgiven someone who doesn’t deserve forgiveness for their actions? Have you ever intentionally released someone from all condemnation, even if they haven’t yet repented? (Jesus)
