I. Introduction

a. John writes his gospel around 90 AD in the city of Ephesus.

b. Although he is not mentioned by name in the gospel, it is assumed that he is “the disciple who Jesus loved,” and the “one who leaned upon his chest.”
c. He and James were brothers and were sons of Zebedee, but Jesus renamed them the “sons of thunder.”

d. Jesus entrusted his aged mother to John’s care upon the cross.

e. The purpose of John is given in chapter 20 where it is stated that it was written to give an account of the signs of the kingdom that those who read may place their faith in the Christ, the Son of God.

f. Indeed, there is a collection of signs and teaching in the 4th gospel so that we will know that Jesus is not only dates back to David, and not only that He dates back to Abraham, but that we know that Christ has no beginning and no ending. That He was in the beginning with God!

g. John 8 is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. He has enjoyed some popularity after John 6 when he fed the 5,000. However, after he completes a discourse on being the bread from heaven and how we must feast on his body and blood, some disciples turn away.

h. Moreover, after he announces that He is the author of living waters at the feast of tabernacles, the religious leaders of the day begin to create strife and division, questioning Jesus’ authenticity.

II. We Must Write in the Sand to Resist the Spirit of Temptation (8:1-6)

a. Jesus came, as He often did, to a place of retreat and comfort – the Mt. of Olives (8:1)

b. It is after His private account that Jesus enters into public ministry by coming “early” to the temple (8:2)

c. The Scribes and Pharisees, all along plotting an opportunity to place Christ at odds with people, find their opportunity in a sinner - an adulterous woman who they cast before Christ.

d. Then comes the tempting of our Lord with the law of Moses. They are themselves apparent witnesses of her dubious act of adultery. And it appears there is more than one to testify of her sin before our Messiah.

e. The Greek word employed for the tempting of our Lord is Peirazo.

f. Writing in the sand is a symbol for reading the hearts of humanity. This is the work of God’s people through prophetic speech. We need to relearn this craft of writing in the Sand, prophesying and reaching the hearts of humanity for the reformation of humanity. Lord, give us the discernment and diligence to hear the Spirit and bring forth utterances to reveal the hearts of our society!

Lyrics:
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus,
vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
is the current of thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward, to that glorious rest above!
S. Trevor Francis

III. We Must Write in the Sand to Remove the Stone of Death (8:7-9)

a. After the cryptic but authoritative writing in the sand Jesus finally speaks. We must note that it was the combination of writing twice in the sand and the speech of our Lord that brought conviction to those who heard. And we will speak of this conviction as we move forward in today’s text, for it is needful that we have conviction yet again in our society.

b. Jesus re-interprets the law. We must note that He does not deny the law, but rather speaks of the law with an eternal and perfect lens. That is, He brings the perfect interpretation.

c. We must attempt to place ourselves in both conditions:
- Seeing ourselves as the adulterous woman, incredulous with guilt and shame for the sin that has been exposed.
- And also the religious, with stones in hand, ready to cast these stones with judgment lacking in mercy, anger without the righteousness of God, and aggression without the wisdom of words.
Church, God has given us words for our society to hear. Will you use the words to first offer mercy, so that the stones fall to the ground, whereby the authority to preach repentance is restored?

d. Jesus stoops again in humble fashion to write again in the sand.

e. Finally, we must note that it was the eldest who began the march home. They first put down their stones.

f. All left until Jesus, the rightful judge, remained. He still had a verdict to render to this woman. And, as is proper for Him, in sinless estate, He readies Himself to issue this verdict. We will see a justification and vindication against all evidence and odds.

Lyrics:
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread his praise from shore to shore!
How he loves us, ever loves us, changes never, nevermore!
How he watches o'er his loved ones,
Died to call them all his own;
How for them he's interceding, watching o'er them from the throne.
S. Trevor Francis

IV. We Must Write in the Sand to Recapture the Platform of Authoritative Speech (8:10-11)

a. Remember Beloved, Jesus remained in a stooped position before the crowd. Even as they began to depart, He remained stooped near the sand.

b. After they had all departed, He rises, and the verdict that the woman was likely waiting for had finally come.

c. Jesus release her from condemnation as He does for us all. He breaks the yoke of bondage and shame. He delivers from the heaviness that comes from sin!

d. Now, we come to the place of holiness.

Lyrics
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus,
love of every love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, 'tis a haven sweet of rest!
Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus
'tis heaven of heavens to me;
and it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to thee!
S. Trevor Francis