JESUS Forgives Our Sins - John 8 – March 4, 2007

Sunday school Lesson – JESUS Forgives Our Sins – March 4, 2007

This series continues our study in the book of John. We have a new emphasis of study, “What Does JESUS Do for Us?”

Our lessons for the month of March are:

March 4 – JESUS Forgives Our Sins – John 8
March 11 – JESUS Opens Our Eyes – John 9
March 18 – JESUS Takes Care of Us – John 10
March 25 – JESUS Restores Our Lives – John 11

The study of book of John is foundational and fundamental to the Christian faith.

I want us to take a quick look at Chapter 7 before we begin our study. I have several Catholic friends who were devastated when the Catholic Church acknowledged that JESUS had brothers and sisters. Yes, JESUS had brothers and sisters but JESUS was the first born of the Virgin Mary. JESUS would have missed out on family life and some of the trials of being the older brother. Remember, HE was tempted in all ways like we are, so being a member of a family was part of HIM experiencing life in the flesh.

Let’s read Mark 6:3:
3 Isn’t this the carpenter (JESUS), the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t His sisters here with us?” So they were offended by Him.

Let’s read John 7:1-5:
1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the • Jews were trying to kill Him. 2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles[1] Or Booths [2] One of 3 great Jewish religious festivals, along with Passover and Pentecost; Ex 23:14; Dt 16:16 was near, 3 so His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)

JESUS’ brothers, not HIS disciples, were chiding HIM. JESUS had decided not to go to the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles because the FATHER had told HIM to wait. JESUS’ brothers, in essence, were saying to HIM, gee, what do YOU mean, YOU are not going to the Festival? Aren’t YOU the superstar and want everyone to see YOU? Do you think they were jealous of their brother’s popularity? We are not sure but the one thing we do know, HIS brothers did not believe in HIM as the SON of GOD or MESSIAH at this time. We cannot leave it here. We must see if HIS brothers changed their minds about JESUS later.

Let’s go to Acts 1:12-14:

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olive Grove, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these were continually united in prayer,[3] Other mss add and petition along with the women, including Mary[4] Or prayer, with their wives and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

JESUS has been crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended into heaven. The disciples, some women, Mary the mother of JESUS and GUESS who – HIS brothers are praying and waiting on the promised HOLY SPIRIT. WOW!!! Something must have changed the minds of HIS brothers. Do you think it was the resurrection? I think so. They finally recognized their brother JESUS as THE SON OF GOD, their SAVIOR and REDEEMER.

Who are some of the most critical people in the world? Who knows us better than anyone else? Our close friends and family know us. Yes, they questioned JESUS’ authority before the crucifixion but they became believers after HIS resurrection and ascension. JESUS’ brother James became the head of the Christian church in Jerusalem and authored the Book of James.

Let’s read Galatians 1:18-19:

18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know • Cephas,[8] Other mss read Peter and I stayed with him 15 days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 Now in what I write to you, I’m not lying. God is my witness.[9] Lit Behold, before God

The Apostle Paul is writing about the time after his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. I think Paul is checking out the history and fundamentals of Christianity. He meets with the Apostle Peter (Cephas) and then he meets with James, the brother of JESUS. Paul is a very well educated man and I think he is verifying all that happened during and after JESUS’ ministry on earth. We know that if Christianity had been a fraud, Paul would not have continued to walk with CHRIST and dedicate his life to serve CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 9:5:
5 Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife, like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and • Cephas?

Paul refers to JESUS’ brothers in the context of the Christian faith.

Why are we discussing this? In today’s world we see many who try to discredit the very foundation of our faith. When we have questions we need to ask the FATHER to reveal the truth to us as we read the scriptures.

Our scripture is John 7:53 – 8:11; 8:30-36.

Let’s read John 7:53 and 8:1:

[ 53 So each one went to his house.

The reason I want us to begin with verse 53 is notice the bracket before verse. All the scripture verses from John 7:53 to John 8:11 lie between brackets. This means these verses are not found in the earliest of manuscripts. Does this mean the verses are not true? No. Most Bible scholars agree that the event of the woman caught in adultery fits well with the efforts of the religious leaders to trap JESUS. They also agree that the event had been purposely left out of some manuscripts when they were being copied by hand because there was a concern such a story might encourage some to be more promiscuous. JESUS did not condemn the woman

Let’s read John 8:1:

1 But Jesus went to the • Mount of Olives.

We all need to get away to our selves at times. Likely JESUS wanted to be alone to pray and fellowship with the FATHER. JESUS is on a mission and HE needed to stay focused. Keep in mind JESUS is both 100% human and 100% divine. We need to do the same as we journey through life.

Let’s read John 8:2-8:

2 At dawn He went to the • temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them. 3 Then the • scribes and the • Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?” 6 They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center. 10 When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “• Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, Lord,”[1] Or Sir; Jn 4:15,49; 5:7; 6:34; 9:36 she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”][2] Other mss omit bracketed text

JESUS goes to the temple at dawn to begin teaching. HE is teaching in the outer court area where women could assemble plus others to discuss the scriptures.

Enter the religious leaders of that day – the scribes and Pharisees. They had been up early that day as well. The cast of characters are the scribes, who know the law like the back of their hands and the Pharisees, who lived by the law. To accuse someone of breaking the law, you needed at least two (2) witnesses. At least two (2) in this group had witnessed this woman in the act of committing adultery. So the top religious leaders bring her to JESUS for final judgment.

The law required that both parties caught in the act of adultery to be stoned. So where is the man? Some think that the man may have helped the religious leaders catch the woman and in exchange for his cooperation, he was let go. Who knows, but the fact is, the religious leaders have the example they want to use to trap JESUS.

If JESUS condemns the woman to death, the religious leaders will report HIM to the Romans because the Jews could not condemn someone to death. So JESUS would be arrested by the Romans. Plus, the religious leaders knew that JESUS was viewed by the crowd as ONE with compassion. If JESUS condemned her to death, this action would compromise HIS popularity with the crowds. If HE forgave the woman of her act, then they could point a finger at HIM and say HE was not following the law. They hoped either way JESUS would be compromised with the people.

JESUS is teaching a number of people and they interrupt HIM. They wanted an audience. The religious leaders address JESUS as “teacher.” They honor and acknowledge HIM before the audience only to hope they will discredit HIM in a few short minutes. They make the charge against the woman. Just in case JESUS does not say the right words they tell HIM what the law requires – stoning. But they want to know what JESUS has to say about the situation. So what does JESUS do?

JESUS is standing. HE remains silent, stoops down and uses HIS finger to write on the ground. Did the religious leaders think HE was ignoring them? They keep asking HIM to give them an answer. JESUS keeps HIS cool under pressure.

Much has been speculated about what JESUS was writing on the ground. We do not know but what HE was writing could have been used in combination with what JESUS was about to say.

Like most, I have a thought. Not about what JESUS is writing but about what JESUS was doing while HE was writing.

We studied a few weeks ago about JESUS only doing and saying what the FATHER instructed HIM to do or say.

Let’s read John 5:19-22 and 30:

19 Then Jesus replied, “• I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[6] Lit whatever that One does, the Son also does these things in the same way. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son,

30 “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Let’s read John 12:49-50

49 For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. 50 I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

I think JESUS was talking to the FATHER seeking HIS guidance in this situation. The FATHER tells HIM what to say, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Who is the only one qualified to throw that stone?
JESUS Himself is because HE is the only one who is sinless. The FATHER has given all authority to JESUS to judge.

Then JESUS stoops down again and continues to write on the ground. This may have been a combination of writing what the FATHER had instructed HIM to write and also talking to the FATHER. HE could have asked the FATHER to allow the SPIRIT to search every person’s heart and reveal any sin in their lives.

When JESUS stoops down it breaks the conversation with the group and allows time for the accusers to consider the question and self evaluation. The SPIRT of GOD reveals to each one at least one (1) sin and the religious leaders begin to silently move away, beginning with the oldest. The older we get, the more we realize how we have missed the mark of following the law. Each of the religious leaders removed themselves until only JESUS and the woman are left.

JESUS stand’s up again and looks around. The woman is still there even though her accusers are gone. The woman knows she was caught in the act of adultery and she has sinned. She could have slipped away as well, after all JESUS was writing on the ground. The fact she is still there, I think is a message to JESUS. She was willing to accept the judgment from the ONE to whom the religious had brought her for final judgment. In essence she was agreeing that she was guilty by remaining. She was willing to accept the judgment of JESUS. JESUS asks the woman “Woman, where are they?” “Has no one condemned you?”

Her reply is critical. Verse 11 – “No one, LORD” Oh can you see the humility in her answer which seems to be anticipating a judgment reply from JESUS? “No one, LORD.” Not stated but I think she is anticipating a judgment from JESUS. I think she knows that she is guilty because she remains after all her accusers have left.

But notice she calls JESUS LORD!!! What does that indicate?

Let’s see what the scripture tells us about a person calling JESUS LORD.

Romans 10:9-10:
9 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.

1 Corinthians 12:3:
3 Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

The fact that she calls JESUS LORD reveals her heart. JESUS knows her heart and then HE reveals HIS judgment in verse 11.

“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

What a relief these words must have been to her ears. She was likely prepared to be condemned but instead she hears, “Neither do I condemn you.”

Do you remember our lesson in John 1:1 when we discussed the Word and the power of JESUS’ Words? HE is the Word and HE spoke the world into being. HIS Words have power. Think about that for a moment. When JESUS speaks “Go, and from now on do not sin any more” HIS Words carry the power of cleansing and of equipping her to change her life. She has the opportunity for a new life in CHRIST.

Let’s read John 8:30-36:

30 As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,[9] Or My teaching, or My message you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “We are descendants[10] Or offspring; lit seed; Jn 7:42 of Abraham,” they answered Him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus responded, “• I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. 36 Therefore if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

JESUS has been teaching the people that HE is the light of the world. HE discusses HIS relationship with the FATHER and HIS departure. The people are trying to understand what JESUS is telling them from an intellectual point-of-view. The spiritual cannot be understood through the intellect but must be revealed.

Verse 30 tells us that many believed in HIM. But JESUS challenges those who believe in HIM to continue studying and learning of HIM. Why is HE telling them to continue with HIM since they are already believers and how will continuing with HIM set them free?

When we first believe in CHRIST, it is only the beginning of our journey of growing and maturing in CHRIST. Unless we continue walking with HIM, getting to know HIM and building a relationship with HIM, we are not nourished and can’t grow into a healthy, mature Christians.

The response of the people makes it clear that they do not understand what JESUS is talking about. They are still relying on their heritage or birthright as descendants of Abraham. Simply they are a slave to sin and if they want to be free from sin, the SON is the only ONE who can set them free. JESUS urges the people, who believe in HIM, to continue to follow HIM. HE knows that once HE completes HIS mission, then they will know what HE has done for them and they will be truly set you free from the bondage of sin and death.

Many of us have head knowledge about our salvation. Often it takes continuing with our LORD before we fully understand what CHRIST has done for us. Our head knowledge has to be replaced with heart knowledge. When this happens it is an awesome revelation. Often such a revelation means that we have to yield our will to CHRIST and give up our efforts to figure spiritual things out.