Fourth of Five People - The Adulterous Woman

 John 8 The Adulterous Woman (8:3-11) 

"The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.  And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more." - John 8:3-11

The religious leaders brought a woman who was caught in adultery to try and trick Jesus … you cannot trick God … He is the creator ...  there is nothing that he does not know.  They wanted to have her stoned for her sin … that is what the Old Testament law said to do.  She deserved to die.  She was undoubtedly looking for something to fill the empty space in her life … she used sexual sin to do that ...  but it did not fill the space it just made her life worse than it was before.  Not only did she hurt herself, but she hurt the man she had sex with ... and his wife and their family and her family … when we sin … we do not sin in isolation ... our sin affects other people … so now she stood before Jesus.  She was afraid ...  why had these men brought her to this man?  Who was he?  He wrote something on the ground ... and then said to the crowd … the person who has not sinned ... let that person be the first one to throw a stone at her … One by one the people left until there was no one but her and Jesus.  She found herself standing before the Messiah ... the savior of the world … the one who could forgive her sins and give her eternal life.  

He could fill that empty spot with the love of God.  He told her to turn away from her sins and sin no more.  She could not do that on her own ... she had already tried that ... she needed the power of God in her to be right before God ... she needed to be born again … 

Romans 3:23 says “we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Those men were condemning her when they themselves were guilty and deserved to be condemned … when Jesus spoke, they saw the truth and had to leave or be condemned with her.

Romans 6:23 says “The wages of sin is death … eternity in hell ... but the gift of God is eternal life" by faith in Jesus Christ.  Forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven is what Jesus offered that woman … Nicodemus, the lame man, and the Samaritan woman … all of mankind.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins … He was raised on the third day .. defeating sin and death … that is an eternal truth and it will always be true ... but we must believe in Jesus ... put our faith in Him ... we must be born again. Perhaps you know someone who feels they have sinned more than what can be forgiven. I am reminded of a song. How Deep The Father's Love, Stuart Townend - "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom."

(Lyrics)

How deep the Father's love for us? How vast beyond all measure? That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss? 

The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory. 

Behold the man upon the cross My sin upon His shoulders. Ashamed I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished.

 I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom. How Deep The Father's Love, Stuart Townend

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone