God’s Guiding Word: Love
Introduction
John 8:1–11: The religious leaders bring to Jesus a woman caught in adultery and seek to test him by asking for his judgment in the matter. Jesus once again confounds them with his response.
Scripture Reading
8 Then everyone went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery, and they made her stand before them all. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?” 6 They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger. 7 As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” 8 Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there. 10 He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she answered.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”]
Today’s Key Verse: John 8:2b
All the people gathered around [Jesus], and he sat down and began to teach them.
Reflect
The Law of Moses required two witnesses in cases like this accusation of adultery (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15), and also that both adulterer and adulteress be put to death (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22). The Pharisees were thus in violation of the legal requirements in not presenting witnesses and not bringing along the adulterer. What is your reaction to how Jesus handled the matter? What did he say to the woman? What does today’s reading teach you about Jesus?
Pray
Lord Jesus, I come before you today with a repentant heart, seeking forgiveness. Thank you for your love and mercy, and for the chance to live a new life in you. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 8:12–30: Jesus’s opponents continue to challenge him.