John 8:8-1
WeDaily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
(John 8:1-11, LEB) But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning he came again to the temple courts. And all the people were coming, and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 Now the scribes and the Pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery. And standing her in their midst, 4 they said to him, testing him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery! 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 (Now they were saying this to test him, so that they would have an occasion to bring charges against him.) But Jesus, bending down, began to write with his finger on the ground, taking no notice. 7 And when they persisted in asking him, straightening up he said to them, “The one of you without sin, let him throw the first stone at her!” 8 And bending down again, he wrote on the ground. 9 Now when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, they began to depart, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone—and the woman who was in their midst. 10 So Jesus, straightening up and seeing no one except the woman, said to her, “Where are those accusers of yours? Does no one condemn you?” 11 And she said, “No one, Lord.” So Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”
Observation
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, which is a short distance away, and appears to have rested there until he returned “early in the morning.”
Jesus is teaching in the Temple again. I notice this time he is seated.
The woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees.
John clearly tells the reader that this was a test by the religious leaders.
The woman was “caught” in the very act of committing adultery.
The punishment for adultery according to the Law of Moses was death by stoning.
Jesus, “taking no notice” of them and their accusations, begins writing with his finger on the ground.
The religious leaders were persistent in their desire for an answer to their question.
Jesus doesn’t answer their question. He makes a statement that questions their ability to enforce the Law of Moses because they are not without sin. And the only person that is able to throw the stone at this woman is the person without sin.
Again, Jesus writes on the ground with his finger.
John never tells us what he writes.
The religious leaders depart because they know none of them meets this standard. We are told that they were “convicted by their conscience.”
The Gospel explains that Jesus was now alone with the woman. While alone, he asks where her accusers are, and is there no one to condemn you? Obviously, the answer is no.
Jesus then tells her that he doesn’t condemn her, but he instructs her to “go, and sin no more.”
Application
We are all in need of God’s grace.
The Law leads to condemnation; grace leads to conviction and freedom.
Grace is not a license to do whatever you want.
Jesus instructs us (me) to go and sin no more.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for loving us when we aren’t very loveable. Like the woman caught in adultery, we are all in need of grace and forgiveness. Though we deserve justice, you give us mercy. While I was yet a sinner, you died for me. I am not condemned. I am set free. Help me to live free! May I go and sin no more. In Jesus’ name, amen!
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