Go, and from now on sin no more

John chapter 8

The first section you come to in this chapter is entitled, 'The woman caught in adultery'.

 Some of you may know this account. It's about a woman, brought in front of Jesus by the 'scribes and pharisees'. 

The scribes and Pharisees were the religious leaders who have authority to teach and guide the people in the Jewish faith.

These leaders had authority, they were knowledgeable about scripture and aware of the intricacies of faith. 

So, if they were the responsible leaders, why did they bring this woman in front of Jesus? 

It was intended as a giant trap. 

They were pretty clever. 'This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him'.  They wanted to challenge Jesus. They wanted to catch him out. To test on whose authority he stood, and if he truly upheld the law. 

Here was a woman who had clearly done something wrong, she had broken the religious law by committing adultery. So, they wanted to know what Jesus was going to do about it.

The Pharisees and scribes knew the scriptures, they read and understood the practicalities, the rules, regulations and judgements within the religious law. They knew from scripture that this woman deserved punishment. By stoning no less.

Really, it's a pretty perfect trap. They bring forth a 'sinner', display their faults and wait to see what Jesus (who claims to be God) does about it. 

If he goes with the religious leaders and administers a punishment, then he is siding with them, but not showing love and grace. If he doesn't agree with their decision then he is clearly a 'law'-breaker. He will then lose credit as a teacher of the law, as he would clearly not be acknowledging or following it. 

So, in the midst of this dilemma, what does Jesus do? 

Well, it seems that for a bit he kind of ignores them. 

He wrote on the ground. I have no idea what he wrote. It doesn't really seem that he is overly interested in the accusations of this group of leaders though. They come to him with this 'problem' and Jesus doesn't seem to even really acknowledge them at first. So, they continue to question him. Then, Jesus eventually responds, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

Having looked into this, Jesus isn't actually implying that only people who have never done anything wrong can condemn (that would rule out everyone apart from him anyway). Jesus is actually referring to the law that the leaders were anxious to follow. The rule was that those who witness the crime have to start throwing stones first. Then others follow. However, the first person to throw a stone must have no part in the sin itself. They must be free from that particular deed. In their lives they must not of participated in the same act. 

So then, what happens? 

They all leave! 

The religious leaders that were wanting to condemn, judge and punish this woman were actually all guilty themselves, of the same sin! 

Jesus, cleverly, reminded them of what the law, the very same law, that they seem so keen to uphold, actually says and he challenged them with it. They seemed so keen to judge and punish this woman, but would they apply the same rules to themselves?

One of the things I want to bring to your attention out of this account is, that many people believe that God is a judge who calls forth punishment, restrictions, rules and regulations. However, if you look at this story, what does the Son of God actually do? 

He doesn't condemn, he doesn't punish. He turns round to the woman and says; "Go, and from now on sin no more". 

Jesus gives the woman freedom.

That's what you can have to. 

You are probably already aware of the mess of your own lives, and when you come in front of Jesus, he will not judge you. He will give you the opportunity to go free. You don't have to live feeling convicted and condemned for the rest of your life, you can have the opportunity to, "Go, and from now on sin no more". 

If you put your trust in Jesus, then you can walk, Scot-free from all your sin. He will give you the opportunity to walk away from it. Jesus encourages you to not do it again, but he won't force restrictions upon you. 

The next step is up to you.