More Than Just a Story - the Book of JohnSample

Today, we find our passage starting off with Jesus teaching in the temple. The scribes and Pharisees try to corner Jesus with a trap-veiled question. Dragging a woman into His presence, they say “Teacher, this woman is caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” (Go check out Deuteronomy 22:23-24 and Leviticus 20:10, if you want to see what the Law says.) The Pharisees thought they were very sly — if Jesus didn’t follow and uphold the law, everything he had taught prior to this would be a lie. However, if he did uphold the law and continue with stoning, his entire ministry set upon grace, mercy and compassion for sinners would be proven to be as insane as it sounded to the people of the day.

Jesus’ response is a striking confrontation of these accusers. “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” It’s a brilliant response. He trapped the trappers, essentially saying ‘if you want to use the law, we are going to apply it to everyone involved.’ As D.A. Carson says, “Those who had come to shame Jesus now leave in shame…the ring around her melted away.” Her and Jesus were now alone. The only person qualified to cast the first stone was Jesus, himself…and he never did it. Why?

Sin and the guilt of sin never just disappear.

Jesus never said to the woman “you aren’t guilty”. What Jesus does say is “I do not condemn you.” We are taught that though we all are guilty we are not condemned (Romans 8:1).

However, the penalty of breaking the law has to be paid. Someone must pay. The only way we can be guilty but NOT condemned is if Jesus fulfills the law for us (Romans 3:26).

He does not condemn her because he knows he will be condemned for her later. He knows that he doesn’t have to throw stones, because stones will be thrown at him later. Instead of stones of condemnation, the woman finds a different stone — the Stone that will later be struck for her and the Rock of Ages that will be the foundation of the rest of her life.

Isn’t that just like Jesus? Comforting us, extending undeserved grace, and setting us free? Fully just. Fully kind. That same exchange is available for you today — paid in full at the highest price. How marvelous! How wonderful!

1. In what ways do you carry condemnation in your own life?
2. Have you experienced the grace of Jesus and his payment for your sins?
3. How can you live differently, knowing your sins are paid for?