One cannot but thank God for the marvelous way Scripture has been preserved throughout the ages. Our translations of the Bible today are drawn from literally hundreds of copy-sources. The teachings and the events of the Scripture are, beyond question, the Word of God — inspired and preserved by Him for us.
Our text today (John 8:1-11) is unique. Some of the ancient manuscripts or portions of Scripture copies which have been found in Palestine carry this story in place in the Bible.
In other words, sometimes the event of this poor, adulterous woman may be related at the end of John’s Gospel, or even Luke. There is much agreement among scholars that the event is authentic. The style of the writing, its teachings and its acceptance in the ancient church all indicate that it is a true event in the life of our Lord.
Praise God for this incident of mercy! I’m so glad it was not lost from our Scripture. It touches the heart.
Read those opening verses of John 8 and try to picture the scene. When you have let it speak thoroughly to your soul, you will be left with one principle truth: Every one burdened with sin should come to Jesus for mercy.
I. BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY DOOM BEFORE THE LAW.
One can almost see it all happening; it is so vividly put. Early in the morning, the people crowd into the temple courtyard to hear Jesus teach. Suddenly, there is an interruption. Pushing through the crowd, comes a contingent of religious leaders.
Attention of all is instantly drawn to the one they half lead, half drag. A.woman in pitiful humiliation. She is disheveled and stands before the gaping throng all hunched and drawn in horrid shame. The accusers are about to speak.
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (verses 4,5).
That all-important question hangs like an ominous cloud in mid-air. Without a word of reply, Jesus simply stoops to the ground and commences to write in the powdery dust.
Many today are too quick to answer for Jesus. Error number one is to say that Moses and Jesus differed. Not a bit! If Moses said that adultery is punishable by death (and he surely did), then Jesus will say the same. Did He not say on the Mount, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished,” Matthew 5:17,18.
“The soul that sinneth must die!” God’s holy law condemns the woman. That is right. But read on.
Another error men make in trying to free a law-breaker is that of the pacifist. These cry, “Man ought never to punish another for we all sin.” This is a wrong interpretation of verse 7. The executioner may not be perfect but God is, and He has ordered crime to be punished, even to the death. See Genesis 9:6. Furthermore, God warns that He will one day punish sin with eternal death, Romans 6:23.
Yes, surprising as it may seem, these hypocrites were right in their facts. But they were so very wrong in their effort to trap Jesus and in their proud judgment of the stained woman. More seriously, they were blind to their own sin.
Like a flash of divine judgment, Jesus turned the tables, “he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” verse 7.
Now, they feel naked and undone before the divine bar of justice. They, too, had, their own sin to account for.
Slowly, one by one, they slink away, verse 9. What if all of us here who have sinned were to stand and file out? There would be no one left. Not one! No ushers. No choir. An empty pulpit. All have sinned and the penalty of that sin is eternal death.
Another reason that the sinner should go directly and only to Jesus is:
II. BECAUSE THERE IS MERCY WITH THE LORD
Just at this point some strip Jesus of His robe of mercy by idolizing the woman’s humility. Others miss the whole point and explain, “God is always forgiving.”
Then, how could our Lord forgive this one who was truly guilty before the law?
As they awaited His answer, perhaps His mind went back to such Scripture as Leviticus 17:11, where God declares, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
That is it! That very hand that writes there in the dust is to be pierced. The blood sacrifice is to be made at Calvary for the sins of this woman. For yours and mine, too. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ,” John 1:17.
This two-fold grace delivers us, first of all, from the law’s accusation. The poor woman saw instantly, what so few seem to see, that she could not face the law. She was a condemned Sinner, and could only look toward Jesus. Study Romans 3:19, 20 and keep in mind that God will not stoop to twisting His laws. They must stand. One by one the accusers all slink away, beginning with the older ones.
Finally, Jesus stands erect. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” She is absolutely righteous before God! The Savior was to pay in full for her sin.
Immediately, the question rushes in, will she not stumble again? God’s grace has the answer. It delivers, in the next place, from sin’s temptation. The accusers dragged her in, but Jesus the Good Shepherd will now lead her out. The Holy Spirit will implant a new life within, a heart to know and love God.
When at the last, great day of judgment the question is again asked.”Where are the accusers? What is the condemnation,?” Not one voice will be raised against that forgiven woman. Nor, against any of you who have personally trusted in the Savior. Then, to our astonishing joy, God will declare, “Neither do I condemn you.” (See Romans 8:31-34. )
Reader, are you exposed to the righteous law of God? Hasten to Jesus in a prayer of complete surrender to Him. Only “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” I John 1:7