It’s interesting how the character and very nature of Jesus is often overlooked . At times we lose sight of who he really is and fail to appreciate the sacrifices that he made and their significance to all humanity.
You may have heard of this story that I’m about to share with you but I would like you to relook at it from a new perspective – one of really seeking to know Christ.
Woman caught in adultery
The story goes that a woman was caught in the very act of adultery and she was taken to the leaders – the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. You see during that era Jewish customs dictated that any person – man or woman found guilty of adultery was sentenced to death by stoning. The witness or aggrieved party was given priority to throw the first stone.The intention was to ensure that the accused would pay for their sin, a very high price to pay as those leaders ensured that they would not come out of that ordeal alive.
They brought her to Jesus “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. John 8: 4-6
They sought his opinion not that they were lenient on the woman but used this to test Jesus, knowing full well that such a fundamental law was only punishable by death.
This came in the wake of Jesus having delivered another Woman from evil spirits – Mary in Luke 8:2 Jesus knowing their real intention, did not fall for their trap, neither did he respond as they expected. In fact he did something seemingly bizarre.
“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.” John 8: 6-8
Jesus’ response to the accusers
Let me back up a bit, Jesus had been at the temple courts since dawn that day, people saw him and gathered around him,he sat down to teach them. He was still teaching when the leaders brought in this woman to stand before the group.
It is evident that Jesus had been seated on the ground and he bent over to write there with his finger.The very ground he sat on was his seat,this signifies the mercy seat of God. He straightened up and challenged them “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” and he stooped again and continued writing.
The significance of this is quite mind blowing.The Mercy seat is first described in the old testament in the ark of the covenant, the atonement cover made of pure gold was also referred to as the Mercy seat.It was believed that the LORD himself communicated with Moses from here, it represented his presence among the people of Israel.
Exodus 25:10-22
Historically the High priest would sprinkle blood with his finger seven times on the atonement cover/mercy seat signifying making atonement for himself and his house hold as well as the people of Israel.Since the death and resurrection of Jesus, he is the mercy seat of God personified as his blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins of all peoples of the earth.
This is so important in understanding the story of the woman caught in adultery, they brought her to face judgement and brutal punishment, but instead she met Jesus who showed her mercy, spared her life because he was to soon shed his blood for her and others like her around the world. No one ever needs to pay for sins with their own blood for Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice once and for all. When we sin, we need to sincerely confess our sin to Christ and plead the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness for our sins.There is power in the blood of Jesus.
Nowhere else in the bible does it indicate that Jesus bent down to the ground, let alone writing.The only reference we have that would be close to this is when God himself wrote the tablets of the covenant with his finger.He inscribed the commandments on a tablet of stone. Exodus 31:18
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the WOrd was God.He was with God in the beginning.Through him all things were made;without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:1-4
This essentially means that when God inscribed the stone tablets the commandments Jesus was right there with him for he is the Word!Halleluyah!
Jesus was well aware of the double standards of the leaders, they were living in sin and loved to show off their piety and holiness in eternal acts yet their hearts were far from God. Jesus saw their injustice, they only brought the woman forward for stoning, her partner im crime, the man, was no where to be seen.
Yet knowing all this Jesus did not rebuke them harshly, nor did he give any of them menacing looks. He simply challenged them in a calm and controlled voice-” he who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.” At that he stooped again facing downward and went on writing on the ground.No one dared to lift a finger, they walked away , one by one – the eldest left first for they knew they had no right, for they themselves were sinners.
The sin the woman had committed obviously grieved the Lord Jesus more than anyone, as he is the Word of God made flesh and is 100% holy- he had the right and authority to have her and her accusers punished as well.Yet Jesus chose to forgive.
This is the very reason that Christ came.
“ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
Jesus showed mercy and grace,to all parties;to the woman for her adultery and the leaders for their injustice and duplicity. This grace is available not only for them alone, but all of us who have sinned.
The bible does not explicitly reveal what Jesus actually wrote on the ground that day,however we now use scripture to interpret scripture and rely on the holy Spirt to give understanding.
It could be that he was remembering the time God wrote the commandments. “Thou shall not commit adultery he may have been retracing that on the ground with his finger knowing full well that she was indeed guilty and was to face the death penalty.Yet in his unfailing love and great mercies, he knew that is why he came into the world to redeem people’s lives from the pit to set captives free and reconcile them back to God Almighty.
This is why scripture says” Lord ….in wrath remember mercy “ Habakkuk 3:2
Jesus silenced her accusers, showed her mercy and gave her a chance to turn a new leaf and to live a life of purity.
The crowd that were advocating from her death and stoning all left.
Jesus said to her “Woman,where are they? Has anyone condemned you?
“No one, sir” she said
“Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go and leave your life of sin.”
Application today
We should not be too quick to pass judgement on others.
None of us is God, no one is holy, we ourselves are sinners and should not try to hide that fact under the guise of self righteousness, falseholiness. We however have all been called to be holy, a feat that we cannot achieve on our own but the Word of God sanctifies us.We ought to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us to be holy.
We should emulate Christ in giving others grace and mercy. “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.”Matt 5:7
Choose grace even in the midst of pain. It really does hurt Jesus when we live in sin, especially since we are made in his image and are welcome to approach his throne of grace to receive mercy and find help in our time of need. Yet we fail to do so and hide away from him. He is ready and willing to forgive if only we renounce sin and repent.
Likewise we should encourage each other to come out of sin and run to Christ. Jesus saves, he rescues and delivers.
He rescued that woman centuries ago and is still rescuing more people even today.
So why not turn to him and be saved?
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