John 8:1-11
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Today’s passage continues the story of Jesus’ actions and interactions during the Festival of Shelters in Jerusalem. As you read John 8:1-11, remember that the religious leaders have already mounted two failed attempts to arrest Jesus.
During the week-long religious festival, Jerusalem would swell in population as Jewish pilgrims crowded into the city to commemorate the 40 years of desert wandering. Amid the chaos of the festival, the religious leaders are somehow able to locate two people “in the act” of committing adultery. But though both individuals are guilty (Deuteronomy 22:22, Leviticus 20:10) only one person is thrust in front of Jesus.
The religious leaders have sunk to a new low. They are counting on Jesus to be merciful to a lowly woman and thereby violate the Jewish law that calls for the execution by stoning of anyone caught in adultery. Their hypocrisy in accusing only the woman is astounding.
We aren’t told what Jesus writes in the dust, but John obviously wants his reader to pay attention to Jesus’ actions. It could be that Jesus was simply deescalating the emotionally charged situation and taking a moment to listen for the guidance of God the Father.
Stop for moment and think about this. When you witness cruelty what is your reaction? When encountering an emotionally charged situation, would your first instinct be to look to Jesus for guidance?
Read John 8:1-11 again and see if you notice anything you might have missed in your first reading.
They keep demanding an answer, so Jesus calls their bluff. He invites the sinless among them to start the execution, and one by one the accusers “slip away” in shame – starting with the one who’s been around longest and had the most opportunities to sin.
The mercy of Jesus is scandalous. There is no one who has committed enough sin, or a big enough sin to put them outside of the reach of Jesus’ mercy. The religious leaders, the people watching the spectacle, the woman whose particular sin is more obvious at that moment – none of them is beyond the mercy of Jesus.
But to be a recipient of Jesus’ mercy you have to admit that you need it.
It is sometimes easier to admit your helplessness when you are caught red-handed in your sin. Many of us are masters at keeping our secret sins hidden from the public, but the truth is that none of us is without sin. And in and of ourselves we have no power to rid ourselves of sin.
Spend the last few minutes of this meditation in silence. Picture the light of Jesus shining like a searchlight on your inner world. Notice when you feel panicky or uncomfortable about Jesus’ light shining on an area of your life. Then remember Jesus’ scandalous mercy and bring that area to him in all honesty.
You may sense that there is something you need to do in response to this time of meditation. If so, create a plan to follow through.
Subscribe here to receive these guided meditations free by email Monday-Friday each week. If you find these meditations helpful, please forward them to a couple of friends.
The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
