Caught In The Act | John 8
John 8
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Chapter Notables:
The woman caught in the act of adultery - verses 1-11
Pharisees challenges the claims - verses 12-20
Dispute over who Jesus is - verses 21-30
The Jewish leaders claims they are children of Abraham - verses 31-47
Jesus claims: Before Abraham was, I am - verses 48-59
Forgiven And Protected | Lemuel Ayudtud
Getting caught in the act of something terrible and heinous is embarrassing, specially if it’s made public. Imagine getting caught in a sexual act with someone that is not your wife or your husband; and then someone posting that picture with your business online. Can someone say, “DRAMA”?
That’s exactly what happened to a woman that was caught in the act of adultery. Now, it would have been very embarrassing and dreadful for herself and for those that are involved if it was posted online, but (there was no internet back then) being caught in the act of adultery was deadly during the earthen ministry of Jesus. It was worthy of immediate capital punishment. As per the laws of Moses, a person caught in the act of adultery must be stoned. Not just drama—death!
The woman was ready to be executed by the crowds that got wind of her illicit act. (Of course, it’s a wonder who the man was and why he wasn’t being treated with the same harsh judgment.) But before they did anything, because Jesus was in town and the Jewish leaders were trying to always get a “gotcha” moment with Him so they can accuse Him of heresy or something worthy of expulsion (or death), they decided to bring the woman to Jesus and see what He thought about it.
They forced her to her knees before Jesus and began to accuse her and retold the laws of Moses to Jesus. “The laws of Moses tell us she should be stoned. What do you think?” they demanded. Instead of going along as they’d hope, Jesus bent down onto the ground and started writing on the dirt.
Most people agree that Jesus probably started writing some salacious or scandalous events that happened in the lives of the people that were ready to kill the woman. Maybe they’ve done some secret things that they thought nobody knew. The “gotcha” moment was to them: Jesus was God in flesh and knew the secret sins of men, specifically those who had stones to throw that day.
Having been exposed, the accusers of the woman dropped their stones and slowly scattered from her and Jesus. Jesus turns to the woman and tells her, “Where are your accusers? Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
What a wonderful feeling to know that even if caught in the very act, our Lord Jesus does not accuse us or condemn us. Instead of accusation, He extends forgiveness. And not only that, having forgiven us He protects us from those who may accuse us.
There are so many things that can be discussed from this chapter. A ton of theological explorations. But when it comes to you and me, what we may not understand in theology, He extends to us through His grace and love. The woman most likely understood her shame and her condemnation, but what she later realized and recognized was that God is there not to kill or condemn but that through Him she may be saved.
As that woman caught in the act of adultery was saved by the grace of God, we also stand under that same canopy of grace.
God covers our frailty. Some of our sins may not be worth death or at least stoning, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that Jesus understands the frailty of our lives and the inconsistencies we tend to exhibit.
God calls us to live for Him. Although having the right and authority to condemn the woman, Jesus extended a calling to her for righteous living instead. What we find is the real victory over sin is not the death of the person but the life of a person being lived for God.
Instead of condemnation, God extends a call for sinless living. Instead of death, God leads us to life. Peter in his epistle wrote that God does not desire to see sinners perish but that all should come to repentance. God is about saving us unto life not condemning us on to death.
God is a keeper and a protector. Satan comes to accuse us before God daily, but the response of God is always good with a great expectation for a better end for us. God protects us from our accusers and keeps us from death caused by our sins.
The incredible thing about the event between Jesus and the woman that was caught in the act of adultery is that the Lord knew this woman before she was brought to Him. His knowledge of her struggle, shame and fear moved Jesus. But instead of capital punishment, He held on to the mission of the cross. The cross was going to answer for her sin.
People matter to God. That’s what He came to do. As John 3:17 stated, “He didn’t come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Lord, teach me to always trust in Your loving grace for me. No matter if I’ve fallen or have failed, help me to embrace Your love for me. Teach me to trust in the knowledge that You want me to live and not die. As sin brings forth death, Your love leads me to life. Help me to choose Your life over sin, but should there be a time of failure and imperfection help me to understand that You’re not there to accuse me but to protect me even from my own sinfulness. Lord, help me to stand in moments of temptation and weakness and help me not be an accuser of other people. Teach me to extend grace specially when I find fault. In Your Name Jesus I pray, amen.
