Jesus, Brilliant Teacher [John 8]
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,4they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.5"Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?"6They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"11She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either Go From now on sin no more."]
I always imagined that this event took place apart from other people, however, according to John, Jesus was in a public venue. He was seated in the temple teaching all the people who were coming to Him when "the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery and having set her in the center of the court." Jesus, then, proceeded to very quietly and brilliantly use this situation as an object lesson for His teaching for the crowd that was gathered to learn from Him. He wasn't flustered or angry. With just a few words to the scribes and Pharisees and then to the woman, the situation was defused and the crowd had a powerful object lesson.
So what lessons were learned by those who watched this situation unfold before them? First, they learned that Jesus was peaceful and calm in contrast to the scribes and Pharisees who not only disrupted His teaching, but were inciting Jesus and the crowd to participate in a stoning there in the temple. Second, they learned that the scribes and Pharisees were not as innocent as they led people to believe. And, finally, they saw the compassion and forgiveness that Jesus offered to the scribes and Pharisees and to the adulterous woman. Jesus was not like their other leaders and this whole situation backfired on those religious leaders and gave a setting for Jesus to shine in their darkness. "Then He spoke to them again: I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." (v. 12, Holman CSB).
A few verses later Jesus gives a reason why His judgment is true. "Because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent me judge together." (v. 16, Holman CSB).
We praise you that you are a brilliant teacher full of calm compassion and forgiveness. Cause us to daily sit at your feet and receive the light of life that You are for us. We praise You that You are the righteous judge who understands and has great mercy. Let us judge together with You as we face hard situations and hurting people today.
Beth Warlick and Verna McCrillis, 12/9/2010