October 23 – Red Letter Writing in the Sand

Early 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. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" They 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. But 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." Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When 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. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more." John 8:2-11

Adultery takes two people, doesn’t it? So where was the man involved in this act? Was his status in the community such that he above reproach? Was he standing on the sidelines of the crowd, watching to see what would happen to her? The Mosaic Law that directed that adulterers be put to death is found in Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22. It includes both women and men. This purges the evil. Adultery was seen as a vile sin because it was not only against the commandment, but against the covenant with God. Is it still seen as a “vile” or despicable sin today? Remember that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount… but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 With marketing, advertising and provocative entertainment invading our living space today it is hard to keep our eyes on only our own spouse, but it is worth it all to keep our focus on God and His will for our lives…to be pure. When you are tempted, try to remember and recite a scripture verse such as… Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8. Dwell—that is concentrated thought. That has helped me lots of times over the years.

The Pharisees called Jesus, “Teacher” or Master, trying their best to flatter and trick Him. But He wasn’t to be deceived. He calmly and patiently answered their charges. Actually, He took His sweet time in answering their accusations, which likely angered them. The way Jesus thought through and slowly answered what appeared to be the Pharisees wanting to pick a fight is a good example for us in how to react to adversity. Maybe we should spend some time writing on the ground. What did Jesus write in the sand? An age old question. Was He writing the names of those holding the stones…and writing their sins? At any rate everyone walked quietly away…the oldest first as they probably realized they too had a great number of sins over their lifetime…maybe even adultery.

John 3:17-18 tells us that Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  So Jesus wasn’t condemning, or judging, this woman either. The point is that He told her to “sin no more.” We should follow that same direction…sin no more. In doing that we would certainly be pleasing God…and living a holy life. Holiness before the Lord.  

My prayer for you today: Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to Himself; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.

 © 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).