International Sunday School September 24, 2023

Background

• There is debate on whether John included the story of the woman caught in adultery, or if one of his disciples included the story
• It is important to the story that the Jews could not execute anyone at this time
• The penalty under the law of Moses for adultery, was stoning for both parties

Jesus Teaching

John 8:1-2 (ESV) but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.

• Barnes — Mount of Olives – The mountain about a mile directly east of Jerusalem. See the notes at Mat 21:1. This was the place in which he probably often passed the night when attending the feasts at Jerusalem. The Garden of Gethsemane, to which he was accustomed to resort Jhn 18:2, was on the western side of that mountain, and Bethany, the abode of Martha and Mary, on its east side, Jhn 11:1.

Woman Caught

John 8:3-5 (ESV) The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst [4] they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. [5] Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

• Leviticus 20:10 (ESV) “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Wrote on the Ground

John 8:6 (ESV) This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.

• Jeremiah 17:13 (ESV) O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water.

Him Who is Without Sin

John 8:7-9 (ESV) And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. [9] But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

• Romans 2:1-3 (ESV) Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. [2] We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. [3] Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Go and Sin No More

John 8:10-11 (ESV) Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

• Proverbs 28:13 (ESV) Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Tried To Stone Jesus

John 8:56-59 (ESV) Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” [57] So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” [58] Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” [59] So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

• Exodus 3:13-14 (ESV) Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” [14] God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
• Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
• Revelation 1:8 (ESV) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Conclusion

• Jesus is ready to take us back when we come to him
• Repent means turn from our sin
• Jesus is the eternal present. He is God.