The Spectacle Of Grace.

During Sunday’s English-language sermons, Pastor Sam referenced the famous (or, perhaps, infamous) pericope adulterae.

Pastor Sam noted that the account of the adulterous woman is one of those passages in the Bible with a "disclaimer" of sorts. Most modern bibles will have the entire passage in brackets, along with a footnote indicating that this passage was probably not part of the earliest manuscripts. But, somewhere along the way, the passage became included in the canon. It is canon for us, this story of a woman scapegoated by religious leadership but rescued by Jesus. And the passage is not so much about her adultery: it is really about the incredible grace of our Lord and Christ, who imparted forgiveness and dignity to a disgraced, hurting soul. Our prayer, of course, is that we will follow His lead and become agents of grace—even in situations where condemnation seems appropriate.

Let’s revisit the passage, found in John 7:53 – 8:11, and reflect on a few points.

And each one departed to his own house. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery.

They made her stand in front of them and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.

Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

• The experts in the Law and the Pharisees interrupted Jesus’s teaching and put the woman in front of the audience, making her the center of attention instead of Him. Are we making the mistake of turning people’s attention away from the truths of God in order to highlight the flaws of human beings?
• They brought the adulterous woman into the community of faith to attempt corporate condemnation. How are we relating to persons who, though sinful, have found their way into the community that can offer them new life in Christ?
• Jesus said to the woman, “I do not condemn you… do not sin any more.” Do our words, actions, and body language reflect hearts of compassion, or hearts bent on condemnation?

Lord Jesus, sinless One, uniquely qualified to throw stones, thank You for not stoning us though we deserve it! You have shown us that it is love, not condemnation, which transforms the hearts of men. Give us grace to love… Your grace, Your love, imparted to us and demonstrated through us, for the sake of Your great name. Amen.