The scene is still the Temple, and the theme of chapter 8 is still confrontations with the unbelieving official leaders. Though the narrative of the woman caught in adultery is not in many manuscripts, it bears the stamp of inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

When there is pause in the battle, it is good to know where and how to refurbish strength and supply before the battle is renewed. Those who contended and schemed went to their house (John 7:53 ). Of Christ the Captain of our salvation, it is said,

John 8:1 "But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives."

This was a practice of Jesus (Luke 21:37 ). It was the place of preparation within hours of Calvary (Luke 22:39 ). What an example for those who fight the good fight of faith. Spend time in your place of spiritual renewal.

John 8:2 "And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them."

And the people in the Temple came to Him, no matter what their purpose for being there. The posture of lowliness and availability, demonstrating kingdom principles as well as teaching them.

John 8:5 "Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned, but what do you say?"

They wanted Jesus to pass judgment on this woman taken in adultery,

John 8:6 "... that they might have something of which to accuse Him ..."

Had they had in mind to keep the law they would have brought the man also. (Deuteronomy 22:22; Leviticus 20:10 ). They were sure they had Jesus in a trap He could not escape from. He would either have to go against the law of Moses by saying she was not to be stoned - or against Roman law which alone could pass the death sentence, and did not do so in the case of adultery. Should Jesus let her go, He would be put in the position of discrediting His own claim to fulfil the law (Matthew 5:17 ). Should He choose to ignore the charge they could accuse Him of condoning sin.

John 8:6 "... But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear."

Could it be that by His action, Jesus was reminding them that the law was written by the finger of God? Had they had true reverence for the written Word, they would not have been using it in this deadly ploy to trap Jesus. In fact, they were persistent, and continued asking Him.

John 8:7 "... He raised Himself up and said to them, 'He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.'"

The act of writing, then the spoken word followed by conviction. It certainly happens that way now. The preached, inspired Word of God is used by the Holy Spirit to convince and convict. He turned their question as to whether the law of Moses stands or not, into whether these men of evil intent and false zeal were not morally competent to carry out their condemnation into execution. Their consciences aroused, they themselves knowing that they were not sinless, and that they did not qualify owing to their evil intent, - were not fit to carry out the death penalty, and could not remain in the Lord's presence - so disappeared one by one from the scene. The woman was left alone with Jesus.

That the Lord's bowed head, writing, and word to the woman's accusers, deeply affected her, is seen by her remaining rooted to the spot. His word to her must have been life-changing.

John 8:11 "... Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

From the only one present truly holy, she received a word of reprieve, release, and redemption. Life is filled with wonderful benefits by following the light.

After the interruption of the accusers of the woman, Jesus resumes teaching His audience:

John 8:12 "... I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Christ is more to us than the fiery pillar that led the Israelites in the wilderness. He is the great "I AM", God is light. Jesus is the full brightness of truth - righteousness and love. We can say, "In Your light we see light." (Psalm 36:9 NKJV). Following the light, the danger, discomfort and fear of darkness are removed. His light is the source of our new life, and walking and following in His light we are guided, and our living has meaning, to live out the light of Christ living in us (Matthew 5:14 ).

It was by looking upon mere outward appearance that the Pharisees refused Christ's testimony (John 8:13 ). Jesus asserted that they were in complete ignorance of who He was and from where He came (John 8:14 ), whereas His witness was based on reality - the fact of His deity and oneness with the Father (John 8:17-18 ). The Lord establishes the principle of not accepting unsupported testimony. We need to check the reality of what is said or estimated before acting upon it.

As Willim Barclay says "The tragedy was that the whole history of Israel was so designed that the Jews should have recognised the Son of God when He came; all their history was leading up to that coming. But they had become so involved with their own ideas ... they had become blind to God."

It was at the very centre of Jewish life that Jesus witnessed to them (John 8:20 ). Separation from Jesus becomes permanent through the sin of rejection (John 8:21-24 ).

John 8:24 "... for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

There are closed minds that cannot receive truth even when clear declaration is given (John 8:25-27 ).

John 8:25 "... 'Who are You?' And Jesus said to them, 'Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.'"

It is when Christ crucified is presented that the love that sacrifices all to save, grips the heart.

John 8:28 "... "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, ..."

Even some there who would be involved in His death would come to know Him, and see the unity of action in common purpose that exists between Him and the Father (John 8:29 ).

	Saved by believing (John 8:30 ).
	Steadfastness in the Word is discipleship (John 8:31 ).
	Serving Him is perfect freedom (John 8:32 ).

It is the divine revelation in Christ that frees us.

These descendants of Abraham could not possibly be saying that they had never been in bondage to Egypt, Babylon, Rome. They understood that it was spiritual freedom that was being offered. They proudly believed all the spiritual salvation and ideal freedom was theirs by being the natural seed of Abraham.

Equally in proud, blind bondage are the religious thousands today, believing they are free because born in a (so-called) Christian country; or privileged to be the offspring of Christian parents; or for generations their family has been respected members of a famed church denomination. No matter how blind to their need of freedom from sin, they are indeed in bondage to sin, and will remain so unless in faith they come to Christ who alone can make them free. Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin (John 8:34 ). The sinner, when challenged usually asserts "I will do what I like". But the truth is he does what sin likes - the sinner is sold to sin. He works hard for sin, and will get fully paid by sin. (Romans 6:23 ).

A son is a permanent member of the household - the slave can be put out at any time (John 8:35 ). Isaac the son of promise remained in the house. Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman was cast out. The slave to sin, no matter how privileged a position assumed, is outside the promises and covenant. (Ephesians 2:12 ).

John 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

His freedom is from guilt, condemnation, and dominion of sin (Galatians 5:1 ). He gives freedom of access to God at all times (Ephesians 2:18 ) A freedom that will bring an end to the groaning of creation - because creation will,

Romans 8:21 "... be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

The father of all unbelievers is the devil, and their evil conduct betrays them as the devil's children. (John 8:37-44 ).

John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do ..."

Exposure of the devil's character as a murderer, and without truth, and the enemy of truth, shows him to be full of deceit, hater of God and man, with a large family in his likeness (John 8:44 ). His doom is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10 ). All his offspring will be with him. The sinless life of Jesus attests the truth of His message.

John 8:46 "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?"

Those who refuse to hear God are not of God.

John 8:49 "Jesus answered, 'I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me."

The Father guards the glory of the Son and will judge those who dishonour the Son.

See no spiritual death, and even physical death is robbed of its sting through Him who has given us the victory. (1 Corinthians 15:57 ).

That Abraham saw the day of Christ by faith (Hebrews 11:13 ). There was indeed insight granted Abraham, detail of which is not written in the Word (Hebrews 11:10,16 ). Could it be that in God providing a substitute for Isaac that he rejoiced to see the Lamb of God? How could these Jews be children of Abraham? He saw, rejoiced, was glad - they rejoiced not, though He was before them and had openly declared Himself.

John 8:58 "Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.'"

"The 'I am' denotes absolute eternal existence, not simply existence prior to Abraham. That the Jews understood the significance of this claim is clear from their rejection (John 8:59 ), to the supposed blasphemy." Ryrie

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Have you a special place to which you go to refurbish your strength and get direction? (John 8:1 ).
2. What main lesson do you learn from how Jesus dealt with the treacherous leaders and the woman taken in adultery? (John 8:3-11 ).
3. How did the Lord establish the principle of not accepting unsupported testimony? (John 8:13,14 ).
4. What kind of conduct betrays the devil's children? (John 8:37-44 ). How are believers different?