2/26/14- Jesus and Adulterous Woman Jn 8

1but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say?” 6They 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. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.(John 8:1-8)

Thoughts: Jesus kept putting himself on center stage, despite those who were trying to kill him.  He came once more to the Temple.  The Pharisees and religious teachers were setting a trap for Jesus.  Moses said someone caught in adultery is worthy of death.  The Roman Law said that the Jews had no authority to kill anyone.  By the end of this conversation, the Jews were trying to stone Jesus for his divine claims- no matter what Roman Law said. Jesus did not answer them directly, and took some time to answer.  He wrote in the sand, and while he did tempers and emotions diffused.  What did he write?  We really don't know.  Theories abound.  Maybe he wrote, "He who is without sin let them cast the first stone."  Maybe he wrote the commandment of Moses found in Deuteronomy 22:22-24.  Some say it was a reference or contrast to God's finger writing the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments.  After he said his peace, he went back to writing.  

But his peace is a reminder that we are all worthy of stoning.  We all break the Law and are worthy of death.  The one without sin could throw the first stone.  No one there was without sin.  Jesus was without sin, but he did not condemn her but gave her a second chance saying, "Go and sin no more."  We should all be slow to condemn and quick to listen.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your wisdom.  Help me to have more wisdom like you.  Help me to be slow to speak, slow to wrath and quick to listen.