September 7, 2020 -- John 8:3-4 -- Caught in sin; how to be freed

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..”

John 8:3-4 English Standard Version

The scribes and Pharisees are aiming to trap Jesus between the laws of the Romans and the laws of the Jews. They imagine this will be a tightrope and Jesus will have to fall off on one side or the other and get Himself bound up in all kinds of trouble.

As this story unfolds we’ll notice, quickly, Jesus does not make a misstep. “I will cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!” (Psalm 119:31-32). He keeps Himself close to the Word of God, He is steeped in the Word and He does not make any misstep. The Word of God gives us glorious freedom so that we can run in the way of our Father’s commandments. In every and all situations the Word is powerful, relevant and insightful.

Notice how the scribes and Pharisees stumble and fall even as they seek to trap Jesus. Leviticus 20:10 commands that both the man and the woman caught in adultery must be put to death. Hmm. Where is the man? The woman was not caught in adultery by herself—by definition that is not adultery. So was she set up? Was the adulterer paid to trap her so that the scribes and Pharisees have a case to bring to Jesus? Who knows. The fact is, the scribes and Pharisees were wrong from the start, bringing the woman alone.

Beloved of God—delight we are to delight ourselves in the Law of God. Know the whole Word of God so that we will not be put to shame! And our text today is teaching us to be aware of the circumstances of any case put before us. When someone is about to accuse someone else, we need to know as much as we can, or at least realize every story has at least three sides (one, opponent, and God’s). Again, notice Psalm 119:32, the commandments of God enlarge our hearts. We understand Jesus Christ—His sacrifice that brings us without blemish or spot—means we see others with the eyes of faith. Jesus conquers our sins and the sins of those we would accuse. Our dearest desire is to bring people to Jesus, so that they and we ourselves, will not be put to shame but be able to judge circumstances rightly and run in the way of His commandments.

Thank You for the joy and blessing of worship. Thank You for preachers and missionaries, bible teachers and evangelists who brought Your Word of Truth to Your hungry people. King Jesus, as the week unfolds, constantly bring us to Your Word and by Your Spirit make it for us living and pertinent in every situation. Thank You, Father in heaven, for the gift of the Law which shows us our sinfulness and directs us to Your Son, our Good Shepherd, so that we can follow Him in thankful obedience. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx0rCabJ16c