A Woman Caught in Adultery and Many Believe- John 8:1-30

Today, Jesus forgives a woman caught in the act of adultery.

After yesterday’s showdown, Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives, but at dawn, he appears at the temple courts and is teaching the crowds. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees have hatched a plan. They interrupt his teaching and bring him a woman caught in the act of adultery. They tell him the law of Moses commands them to stone her. They want to know what Jesus has to say about that.

First of all, let’s remember that Jewish Law came from God, so it would have been fair. If there was a woman committing adultery, there was a man with her. Where was he? He would be judged the same way. Secondly, Jewish Law required corroborating witnesses. Where were they? Where was the evidence? Also, execution was required only if she was a virgin and then both parties were to be executed. Was she a virgin? Where was the man involved? Finally, the Romans didn’t allow the Jews to carry out death sentences. They were attempting to put Jesus in conflict with Rome.

Jesus was aware of all of this, stops teaching and begins writing in the dust. I would love to know what he was writing; we can only guess. They keep on badgering him and he’s silent. I picture the crowd just holding their breath. What will he say?

His words are some of his most famous and brilliant ever uttered, “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Ouch! Silence follows. One-by-one, the accusers, starting with the oldest, walk away. No one is left, but the woman.

Here’s where we often get it wrong. He tells her that he doesn’t condemn her, BUT, he says, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” He doesn’t say that she should continue to participate in adultery. He doesn’t say she should do whatever she wants and he will never judge her actions. He says, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” “Go now;” not go later or when she decides the time is right.

We are always forgiven when we repent, but when we repent, we are not supposed to continue to commit the sin we have asked forgiveness for.

This is the second time we see Jesus talking with a woman. This is a beautiful picture of grace. This is why Christianity is unique. All of humanity is valued, not just a certain sex or a certain race, all of humanity. I wonder where the woman went after she left Jesus. Was her life changed forever? I would think it would be.

Then, Jesus speaks again to the people and says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” I love that verse. It makes me want to say, “amen.”

The Pharisees aren’t impressed and they press on, with the arguing and debating about who Jesus really is and where he’s really from. He never seems to lose his cool as he continues to answer their never ending accusatory questions and again I marvel at his patience.

But, I suspect that verse thirty is the heart of it. “Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.” Jesus was a fisher of men. He wanted then, and wants today, hearts and souls. I think he put up with all of the maddening accusations and questions because he hoped that hearts would be forever changed and faith would take root as he stood there answering them and faith was at the heart of his mission.

What did you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂