John 7:53-8:30

Following Jesus’ conflict with the Pharisees and chief priests, “everyone went to his own house…But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives” (7:53-8:1). Early the next day Jesus went to the temple again (7:14) where many gathered to hear Him teach (8:2). The scribes and Pharisees burst into the temple bringing a “woman caught in adultery,” whom they most likely set up in order to question Jesus’ loyalty to the law of Moses (8:3, 5). Having no compassion for this woman, the religious leaders said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” (8:4-5) John writes that the religious leaders said these things to test Jesus “that they might have something of which to accuse Him” (8:6a). They thought this would be a difficult question for Jesus to answer because if He ignored the law of Moses, which called for death in the case of adultery (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22), Jesus would lose the respect of the people who highly esteemed Moses. But if Jesus demanded the woman be put to death, the people would question His love and forgiveness. Instead of answering with words, Jesus bends down and begins to write in the sand with His finger. Much speculation has surrounded what Jesus was writing, but some have suggested that He was writing the sins of the religious leaders in the sand. Although we cannot be certain, Jesus finally speaks to the woman’s accusers saying, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (8:7). Again, Jesus stooped down to write in the sand and those who were listening were “convicted by their conscience.” (8:8-9a). Rather than defending their own sinful actions in comparison to this adulterous woman’s, her accusers left one by one leaving Jesus alone with the her (8:9b). When Jesus realizes that He is alone with the woman He asks, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” (8:10) The woman responds to Jesus’ question saying that no one is still standing there to accuse her (8:11a). In loving compassion for the woman, Jesus comforts her saying, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (8:11). Jesus offers freedom for condemnation, but also demands that she change her actions. Jesus in no way excused what she had done, but assured her of His forgiveness. This is a great reminder for us to be forgiving and compassionate because we have been loved and forgiven by God.

After this event, Jesus speaks again to the people who have gathered for the Feast of Tabernacles (see John 7:52) saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (8:12). This is the second I AM statement mentioned by John which he is using to display Jesus’ deity. The first one is found in John 6:35 where Jesus claimed to be the Bread of Life. Here Jesus claims to be the Light of the World, meaning that although the world is full of darkness because of evil and sin, He is the one true light who has brought salvation into the world. The Pharisees call Jesus a liar (8:13), but He confirms His claim to Godhood by declaring the witness of Himself and His Father (8:14-18). The religious leaders ask Jesus, “Where is Your Father?” thinking He was speaking about a human father when, in fact, Jesus was referring to His divine Father (8:19a). Recognizing the ignorance of the religious leaders, Jesus exposes their true heart, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also” (8:19b).

As He had already told them (7:33-34), He would be going away soon, which is a reference to His death, and they could not go to where He would be (8:20-21). Jesus also adds that they would seek Him but would end up dying in their sins (8:21). The Jews did not understand His sayings so they speculated that Jesus was going to kill Himself (8:22), so He reconfirmed His teaching to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (8:23-24). Jesus’ words could not be any clearer. God the Father had sent Him into the world to bring forgiveness of sin and all those who would believe in Him would receive eternal life. The Jews still did not understand (8:25-29), but there were some who believed in Him (8:30).

Although many did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah (Genesis 3:15), Jesus declared that one day “when you lift up the Son of Man [reference to His soon-coming crucifixion], then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (8:28-29). Do you believe that Jesus was the One sent by God to bring forgiveness of sin to all who would believe in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection? If not, you will also die in your sins and pay for them by spending eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).

Dear God, help many trust in the witness of Your Son, Jesus, whom You sent to bring forgiveness of sin and light to the darkened world.