John Week 15

John 7:53-8:11 Woman Caught in Adultery

⁵³ They went each to his own house, 8 ¹ but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. ³ The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst ⁴ they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ⁶ 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. ⁷ 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.” ⁸ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."

• Jesus went his own way
• He went to the temple and he sat and taught like Jesus does
• Pharisees and the Scribes came to him bringing him this women who was caught in adultery (where is her partner)
• we all know this is a trap they want to set him up because the law says to stone her, but Romans were the only ones who could execute the death penalty
• Jesus wrote on the ground, but it was something that drew a line
• V7 the iconic saying, let him who is without sin cast the first stone, only Jesus qualifies
• he wrote again to make a larger divide
• one by one they left old to young until it was a sinner and the sinless
• what was the sinless ones reaction? I do not condemn go on and don't sin any more

• What was the crowds approach to this woman?
• How did Jesus approach this woman?
• Anything you notice in particular?

• What is your normal reaction to sin?
• What do you usually do afterwards?

Set the picture activity (switch ourselves in the story with the woman)

• Jesus both gave a guilty verdict and showed grace
• The woman's response is reacting to Christ Lordship then is told to sin no more.

• Our response is usually telling of where we stand: no reaction, ashamed and hold all in, or guilty and turn to God.

• Do not be afraid when you sin because of the Grace we have in Jesus.
• We are the ones that tear ourselves apart where Jesus approaches with grace and gentleness. We are the opposite, we are not gentle or kind to ourselves.

 Family Questions

1. How do you approach yourself when you mess up?

2. How does Jesus usually approach me you?

3. How do you need to change your approach with yourself?