A Woman’s Story of Grace

Engage in Scripture: John 7:53-8:11.

Last time we came to this passage, we considered why it was absent in the earliest manuscripts. Through this, we learned how preservation efforts allow us to read the Bible now. The narrative is true to the character of Jesus.

We walked away wondering why the Holy Spirit had graciously ensured that our generation would not miss out on what happened that day. Today, let us see why.

What do we see?

Throughout the years, hundreds of pastors have preached on these passages. Did they focus on how the scribes and Pharisees set a trap for Jesus? Maybe they recognized how those who should have known better twisted the Scripture, or did they see Jesus’ forgiveness?

I see the woman.

We know little about her. Abusive husband? Children? But one thing we know is that she was vulnerable and caught in the act of adultery.

In the eyes of Jewish law, adultery is a serious crime alongside idolatry and murder. It was a grave sin punishable by death (see Deut 22).

This woman caught in adultery was a pawn in their hands. Someone had taken their time to tempt her, take advantage of her, and ensure they caught her with him.

Imagine her shock, shame, and heartache at being caught in the act. She thought she was alone, but the wicked witnesses had set a trap. We don’t even know if she had put on all her clothes.

Now they dragged her to the temple courts, put her on display, and set her before the Rabbi, Jesus. Numbed and silenced, all she could do was wait for her fate.

Was her lover now among her accusers?

See the Situation

The Rabbi had just started teaching as the sun peeked over the horizon. They rudely interrupted Him. He has words of life, bringing the shadow of death.

She’s thrown in the middle of the courtyard before Jesus, her accusers, and the people: condemned, fearful, and facing a clear death sentence.

“Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery!”

Jesus could easily say, “Stone her!” He could have even said, “Where’s the man caught in adultery? Bring him out!”

If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die – the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel. Deut 22:22 NKJV.

They set the trap. If he agreed to enforce their interpretation of the law, then his words of life would now be null and void. His call for love and mercy would be questionable. Under Roman occupation, the Jewish leadership was powerless to execute the death penalty, and the scribes and Pharisees knew this. The Romans would arrest him, not them.

See the Lord

Jesus is the Christ, not just another rabbi. He doesn’t react the way they expect. He doesn’t rise up in righteous anger to throw the first stone.

So what does He do?

With His fingers, he writes something on the ground. Then He stands up, looks them in the eye, and says these infamous words, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Then, once more, He stoops down to write on the ground.

In a unique way, Jesus accuses the accusers. Watch what happens next:

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest, even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing there. John 7:9 NKJV.

You see, everyone around them had left. This included the scribes, the Pharisees, and the people who had come that morning to listen to Jesus.

The normal Greek word for write is “graphein”, but here we see the word in Greek is “katagraphein” or to write a record against someone. It’s the finger of God that was writing a record against them.

They were not without sin!

See the Gospel

Only the woman caught in adultery and the Lord remained. She was safe now, face to face with true love.

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord,” and Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11 NKJV.

Here’s the heart of the gospel in action. His love drew Him to the cross for the woman caught in adultery – for you and for me. His words of forgiveness and pardon are real.

His forgiveness carried a challenge. go back to her old ways or reach out for a new life in Christ.

When the Holy Spirit leads us to the truth – Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world – then we too must face this challenge. Move to the voice of eternal life or continue in the vice of sin?

The love of the world will always betray us.

This story is unfinished. Every story is unfinished until we stand before the Lord face-to-face.

• Did the woman caught in adultery choose to go and sin no more?
• Did she go home, gather her things, and follow Jesus from then on?
• Did she witness Jesus’ crucifixion?
• Did Jesus visit her during the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension?
• Was she among those filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost?
• Was she persecuted for her faith and ultimately joined the scattered believers?
• Did she travel with the Apostles?
• Was she there in Rome when Paul’s letter was read aloud?

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Rom 8:1 NKJV.

What now?

Do you see it? Do you see the gospel story unfolding here? We don’t know what happened to her, but I don’t think you can face so great a love and not change. She was a walking witness of the love of the Savior.

How else would her story live on?

If the Savior has forgiven us and we have heard His whispered words, “Go and sin no more,” then deep in our souls, we’ve joined her in newness of life.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… Rom 1:16a NIV.

Did these words resonate with you? If so, then let me know in the comments below so we can share with each other – sister to sister.

Now may the Lord bless and keep you until we meet again.