Endeavoring Women of the Bible: The Adulterous Woman
THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN
Location: mount of olives, Jerusalem
Context: A women is accused of adultery
Passage: John 8
As you know me, I don’t like just “mainstream things” so as I approached the New Testament, I considered looking at Mary and Elizabeth (and I think it is important to think of their stories beyond just Christmas). But as usual I wanted to look at some of the smaller accounts. This morning I opened my Bible to John 8. You may be familiar with this story, as it is titled the “Adulterous Woman”. It doesn’t provide a name for this woman, but we meet her in John 8, so let’s jump in:
“1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.”
So Jesus is teaching in the temple and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. So not only are they bringing in this difficult situation, but they then quote scripture to try to trip him up. They say
“5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.”
You might think that Jesus is tripped up, as they are quoting scripture! But Jesus isn’t shaken by the Pharisees attempts. So what does Jesus do? I love this passage because it kind of shows Jesus having a theatrical lesson here. And I’m an absolute fan. So setting the scene you can imagine it right. Women brought in, flustered and embarrassed. Pharisees filled with anger and waiting in anticipation. So let’s look at what Jesus does in verses 6-8:
“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.7 When 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.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.”
So you can picture this right. So much energy from everyone and this anticipation and what does Jesus do? He does, just very chill - like, writes on the ground. And he drops the beautiful line: Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. This verse alone has so many applications, and is so powerful. I think, if you have been a long time Christian like me, it can become so easy to judge others. And if judgement is something you struggle with, I encourage you to paste this verse on your wall. Jesus reminds us that we are all still sinners. How humbling, and true.
So he continues to write and what do the Pharisees do?
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
So you can picture this as well right? People one by one slowly walking away. These people cannot argue with him. I love that. That Jesus defends the woman from this entire crowd who seeks to see her fail. If you have struggled with sin, I want you to put yourself in the woman’s shoes. So she is now alone with Jesus and what does he say to her:
“10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.
(John 8: 10-11)
Like, wow. You can imagine the woman’s feelings going into this situation. The shame, confusion, anger, and sadness involved with adultery… and this man defending you. After everyone has walked away, I can only imagine what this woman thinks of Jesus. That he is a man of influence and I can’t help but think that she must realize that this is God. And then not only that, but hearing God say the words “neither do I condemn you”. Can you say freedom?!
But for some reason I also love that it tells us that he straightens up. I think it shows that Jesus is definitely disciplining the Pharisees and defending the woman. But he also wants the woman to know the severity of her choices. And you may think at this point, the woman’s off the hook. Jesus is emphasizing love and grace. But what I think people so often overlook is that the God of justice in the Old Testament remains in the new. What does Jesus say immediately after this?
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
This is one of my favorite parts of the story. This command lets her know that he frees her. But he also wants her to live a new life. It also shows that Jesus wants and requires change of us. Does he say, “You’re off the hook, do whatever you want”? By no means! He instructs her to life a new life and put to death the old life of sin.
I think her story can give us so much encouragement for the same. Whether you are grappling and struggling with a sin, or whether you think you are spotless the reality is that Romans tells us: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We are dead in our sins. But Christ invites us to live a new life through him. He offers freedom to us. But he also invites us to step forward into a new life without sin. So what are some of the main take aways?
PEOPLE CONDEMNING.
First, I don’t know what situation that you might be in, but if you feel like the world is against you. That you have Pharisees pointing out your flaws or screaming to the world “look at their sin or their flaws”. I want you to know that Jesus says he does not condemn you. But he does require you to do something. He tells you, “Go now and leave your life of sin”. Does he say, “well think about it and condemn yourself for awhile. Feel full of shame”. NO. He says that he asks of you to go. To go forward and sin no more. I hope this can provide peace that whatever situation you are in, know that God’s view of things is much different than the world’s. He is a God that doesn’t allow sin. But he also provides freedom. If you feel trapped in a corner in your life, or surrounded by obstacles, know God is in the corner with you. In the middle of that circle, fighting for you. And He is a God that can’t be messed with.
Judgment:
I think the first thing we can learn from the story is from the Pharisees. Maybe you haven’t struggled a lot with a sin like adultery, or alcoholism, or murder, or the ones the world has a tendency to view as “greater”. The reality is that Jesus sees that all have sinned. So I want to challenge you this week: if you feel judgment towards another please think of Jesus’ words knowing that we can cast the first stone when we are absolutely sinless. And might I remind you pride is a sin? Matthew 7 reminds us of this as it says: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye” (Matthew 7).
The word I think of with this woman is transformed. I think her story shows what a conversion could and should look like. Realizing that we are in sin, knowing that God forgives us and loves us, and that we are to go forward with a changed life. I hope that this week you can be encouraged my the woman’s story. That Jesus is a God who fights for you. Who calls you from your fear and your sin to a life changed.
Lord, I pray for the Endeavorers this week reading this blog or listening. Shine a light on the sin in our own lives God. We repent of our thoughts, our judgments, and our actions that don’t align with you. God we praise you that you set us free. You offer salvation and hope and we are so thankful. Lord we pray for your anointment as we go forward this week. We thank you and praise you.
