Bible Studies for Life: March 19

Jesus Gave Me Grace and Forgiveness • John 8:2-11

By Laura Lee Leathers

Scholars who study the ancient manuscripts have debated whether John 7:53-8:11 goes here or in another section of the Gospel of John. Warren Wiersbe writes, “It is a part of inspired Scripture regardless of where it is placed… To many of us, the story fits right here!” (Be Alive, Get to Know the Living SaviorCommentary).

These few verses flow into Jesus’ statement, “I am the light of the world” (v. 12). The “die in your sins” (John 8:21, 24) phrase relates to the focal passage. The last verse of this chapter ends with the Jews picking up stones to throw at Jesus.

The Feast of Tabernacles has been observed and the attendees have returned home but Jesus, who has no permanent home, makes his way to the Mount of Olives which was His usual place to pray.

I had broken God’s law and deserved punishment (John 8:2-6a, NKJV). Afterward, while it’s still early in the morning, He goes to the temple, sits down, and teaches the people who came to Him.

Interrupting Jesus’ teaching, the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman “caught in adultery” and thrust her into the midst of those who had gathered. Where was the man who was involved in this adulterous relationship? The law specifically states that both parties involved were to be stoned (Deut. 22:22-24).

In all likelihood, this incident was contrived by the scribes and Pharisees to test or trap Jesus. There were two options, according to the accusers: Jesus could deny the Mosaic law, or step into the Pharisees’ role and order a stoning. His response was not what they expected.

However, everyone in that group, the scribes, the Pharisees, and the woman, had all broken God’s law and deserved punishment.

All of us are guilty of sinning against God (John 9:6b-9). Rather than replying to their trick question, “Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear” (v. 6b). Several commentaries suggest Jesus could have been writing Jeremiah 17:13, “those who depart from Me shall be written in the earth because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.”

While Jesus was writing in the dirt, the Pharisees “continued asking Him.” Were they agitating or rushing Him to decide? Jesus doesn’t answer. Instead, He rises and makes the following statement: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” \

Then he stoops down again and continues writing. He was giving them food for thought.

The scribes and Pharisees knew that the Law stated that the two witnesses were to be the first to throw a stone (Deut. 17:7); “only those who were not guilty of the same sin could participate” (MacArthur Study Bible).  When they heard His words, “being convicted by their conscience,” they left one by one, from the oldest to the youngest — to the last. The woman was there alone.

Jesus showed me grace and forgave me (John 8:10-11).  Jesus raised Himself up and only saw the woman. He asked, “Woman (the customary greeting for that time), where are those accusers of yours? Has no condemned you?”

There was no one, and Jesus told her to sin no more. The literal meaning is “leave your life of sin (Mark 9:1-8, Mark 2:13-17).

In the special feature of the Woman’s Study Bible (Dorothy K. Patterson and Rhonda H. Kelley) entitled, “Forgiven Adulteress,” the last paragraph reads, “Jesus also affirmed the sanctity of marriage, making it clear that men, as well as women, are expected to keep their vows. He did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery. Instead, He forgave her, as He would later forgive the very people who nailed Him to a cross (see John 3:17). Jesus faced the sentence of death Himself, for the adulteress, for the sinful scribes and Pharisees, for everyone. His grace provides hope for every sinful soul (see John 8:12).”

Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death.” However, God willingly gives us His grace and forgiveness when we repent and believe. The “gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

As we close this lesson, take a moment to read Psalm 130. Pay special attention to verses three, four, and seven. Spend some time in prayer, thanking Him for His abundant redemption.

Leathers is a member of First Church, Lexington. She may be contacted at laura.l.leathers@gmail.com