The Message in the Dirt Pastor Rich Laskowski
The woman caught in adultery in John's Gospel is a very well known story. This passage certainly demonstrates the compassion of Jesus, but there is another layer of understanding that can be found in these verses. I believe that it serves as a picture of the Gospel demonstrated in the characters of the Pharisees, Jesus, and the woman guilty and accused. The Pharisees represent the accusing finger of the law - the woman's represents humanity, guilty and accused by the law. Jesus is shown as the defender who comes between the unflinching judgment of the law and guilty humanity.
A question that always comes to mind when studying this passage is, what did Jesus write in the sand? This lesson will present a unique answer to this question. I hope you will be encouraged by this teaching and drawn closer to the God who loves you with an incomprehensible love.
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A Message in the Dirt
Joh 8:1 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. 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. 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, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 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. 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. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
I. Historical Context of John 8:1-11
A. Religious Leaders were bothered by Jesus
B. They were afraid of Him because of His following.
C. They wanted to trap Him with a question.
What should we do with this woman caught in adultery?
1. If He said stone her, that would be contrary to His grace message and get the Romans involved.
a.) Jews were occupied by Rome and had no legal right to carry out executions without Roman approval.
2. If Jesus said let her go He would be
opposing Moses.
- Moses was greatest figure of OT to Jews - That's why they asked the question like this:
Joh 8:5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"
II. Spiritual Combat Behind this Scene
As we said last week in the message When Kingdom Collide:
There are moments of collision between darkness and light.
This is another collision
A. Two strategies being played out here:
#1 The Devils Strategy:
The Bible teaches us that he does have a strategy
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Methodeia: plan, route,
2 Cor 2:11 …we are not ignorant of his devices. (Purposes)
As we said last week:
- Don't be ignorant of the opposition
- Don't give any credit either
- We are never told to cower before the devil
- We are never told to fret over what the devil is doing
We are told to:
Resist him - take authority over him - and trample on him - in Jesus name.
He is defeated, but we are not to be ignorant of what his methods are.
DEVIL'S STRATEGY IN JOHN 8
Pharisees: Use the religious to oppose the Spiritual, driving them deeper into their conviction that they are serving God.
Jesus: This all takes place as Jesus' students watched.
- If Jesus speaks against Moses - this is a scandal.
- Jesus reputation will be tainted - This would be spread over all Jerusalem very quickly.
Character assassination is far more effective
- No martyr is created
The Woman: Drive her deeper into despair and darkness.
- Condemnation that leads to hopelessness
FATHER'S STRATEGY JOHN 8
Pharisees: God wanted to show the Pharisees that Jesus was the Messiah.
- God wants all men to be saved
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Joh 5:39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
Jesus: The Father wanted Jesus to be to not only revealed as Messiah by miracles but also by wisdom.
- He also wanted those students watching to take a story around town about how Jesus confounded the Pharisees
Woman: He wanted this woman to be redeemed
- She got condemnation from the religious leaders.
- Jesus gave her mercy
III. Jesus Answers The Pharisees
Joh 8:4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 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. 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, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 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. 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. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
A. He awakened their conscience with this statement:
7…"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
- If you have not sinned in this way - throw the first stone.
According to the law a witness who was bringing the accusation had to throw the first stone.
B. What did Jesus write in the dirt?
- Some say he wrote the names of their girlfriends
- Some say their sins
- I don't think it was for the Pharisees benefit
- I was praying about this and I saw something:
1. This whole story is a picture of the Gospel
The Pharisees represent the cold accusing, unbending Mosaic Law
The woman represents mankind: guilty and condemned.
Joh 1:16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Jesus comes along side of her defending her from the Justice of the Law - in anticipation of the coming cross.
Jesus stoops down next to her - (Just as he left heaven to be next to and defend us)
HE WRITES IN THE DIRT
Not for the Pharisees
In the midst of all the accusation He wrote:
God love You
But I'm guilty - yes you are
God Loves You
But the religious leaders they want to stone me
God Loves You
JESUS WAS HER DEFENDER -
HE IS ALSO OUR DEFENDER
Heb 7:24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Ro 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.