A CASE OF SPIRITUAL PROSECUTION

John 8:3-11 records the Scribes and Pharisees bringing unto Jesus a woman caught in adultery. According to the law of Moses she should be stoned to death. But they asked Jesus what they should do with her with intent to trap Him little realizing that they were also sinners themselves. They were pricked by their conscience when Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

The Prosecutors

They caught a woman committing adultery. Under the law of Moses, she should be stoned to death (Deut 22:20-24). Since there was a law to punish such an accused why did they not apply it? Why should they ask Jesus to judge the case? Jesus was neither their ruler nor a member of the Sanhedrin. Their evil intention was to present a dilemma to Jesus. If the Lord were to forgive the woman then lie would be breaking the law of Moses. On the other hand, if the Lord were to follow the law by condemning the woman then He would not be acting according to the gospel lie was preaching. Further he would also be breaching the law of the Romans. However the trickery of the Scribes and Pharisees could not fool Jesus. Instead the words of Jesus, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” were as sharp as a knife. They were cut in their hearts and realized that they too were sinners. God is faithful and just. If we confess our sins He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Accused

The adulterous woman was totally passive. She lost her freedom and was strickened with guilt. Brought before the Lord, she waited for her death sentence. Fear and shame overtook her. She was no longer able to lift her head. According to the law of Moses she should be stoned to death but God was gracious to her. When her accusers had left her one after another, she remained standing there to be judged by the Lord Jesus. When the Lord lifted up lifted up Himself and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?” She replied, “No man, Lord.” She was troubled in her heart, remorseful and silent. She did not argue with her accusers. She only answered the question the Lord asked and repented before the Lord.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” So this woman was forgiven of her sin. In this wicked world today the evil one will not spare a moment to accuse us. The devil is like a roaring lion prowling about seeking someone to devour. Therefore we must be steadfast for the blood of the Lamb has cleansed us of our sins. We are no longer of the world but children of God. We should sin no more just as the Lord told the woman.

The Judge

When Jesus heard the accusation He stooped down and with His fingers wrote on the ground as though lie had heard nothing. When pressed, the Lord replied, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (Jn 8:7). They could not find fault with this answer. Their evil plan failed.

In Deuteronomy 17:7 it is recorded, “The hands of the witnesses shall he first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people.” Stephen died a martyr in this manner. The law of Moses required several witnesses to prove a crime beyond doubt. However the Lord Jesus requested the witnesses themselves to be absolutely sinless. Jesus intended to point out the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees who were harsh on others but lenient to themselves.

The final judgment pronounced by the Lord was “Neither do I condemn thee” (Jn 8:11). God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world On 3:17). Jesus alone is sinless, lie alone has authority to forgive sins (Mt 9:6). When Jesus said, “Co, and sin no more”, we see His mercy. Any sinner who turns to him must sin no more.