He said volumes with saying a single word
October 23, 2008
John 8:1-11 GNB
(1) [Then everyone went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
(2) Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them.
No matter where he went Jesus taught the people. Some people do not like to be taught. Others cannot understand and want to run away. Jesus taught. If we listen to Him we will learn lessons.
(3) The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery, and they made her stand before them all.
(4) "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
(5) In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?"
There were many sins that were worthy of stoning. Why did they pick this one. Well, if Jesus said to stone her then He was advocating that they should break Roman law and they could turn Him over to Rome for a trial. If He did not advocate the stoning, then He was breaking God's law and was not from God. What to do?
And yet, it is amazing that they knew the law so well yet did not follow it. Not only was the woman to be stoned, but the man was to be as well. Where was the man? If she was caught committing the sin, there must have been someone else she was doing it with. Where was he?
(6) They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger.
(7) As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, "Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her."
(8) Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.
What was He writing. Did it speak volumes for Him when He did not say a word. My thoughts are He wrote all the sins of the people there, some worthy of stoning as well. Whatever it was, it was powerful.
(9) When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there.
(10) He straightened up and said to her, "Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?"
(11) "No one, sir," she answered. "Well, then," Jesus said, "I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again."]
As we talked about yesterday, forgiveness comes from God. The people could not forgive, but Jesus showed them He did. When forgiveness is received from God, it is good that you do not go and do the same sin.
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