John 8:2-11 JUSTICE AND MERCY MEET The events of the last great day of the feast of Tabernacles were past and people were probably preparing to leave for home. Still, there were those in the temple in the early morning who listened to Jesus as He sat and taught them in the manner of an authoritative teacher of the Jews. In fact, on that early morning, all those in the temple came to hear the words Jesus taught them. Much is learned in the early morning that would have been missed by waiting until later in the day. One's mind is clearer and more willing to attend to truth in the morning before the distractions and responsibilities of daily life claim our time and attention. To be in a position to give undivided attention to the Lord is found more often in the morning then at other times of the day.
Into that group of people who were paying attention to the Lord's teaching came another group of men bringing a woman with them. These scribes and Pharisees were determined to trick Jesus into either breaking Moses' law or interfering with Roman authority. They brought a woman who had committed adultery it is true, but their intention was to find a way to condemn Jesus. The punishment of the law for adultery demanded both parties to be stoned, so these men were acting illegally themselves by only bringing the woman. It is one of those traits of humanity we all have, that by charging others with sin, we try to silence our own guilty consciences. Adam was the first to seek to excuse himself from the consequence of willful sin by pointing at Eve who had been deceived by the devil.
The scribes and Pharisees were correct in their interpretation of Moses' law, except they didn't go far enough - they didn't bring the man. When they asked Jesus, "What sayest thou?" their intention was to trap Him into denying the authority of the law Moses gave by showing mercy, or interfering with Roman authority by showing justice. Bending over to write on the dusty ground covering the paving stones in the temple gave these men time to think about what they were saying, but they continued to express their challenge so that none of them was in a position to ever say he was not involved in the outcome of this matter. Jesus knew what He was going to say and do, but by their continuing to ask His opinion, each man was putting himself in the position to be convicted of his own sin. A hasty reply to every challenge we face as we seek to serve the Lord, can lead us into conflicting situations that are very difficult to deal with and may hinder rather than help the outcome of a matter. Take time to consider what is the appropriate way to act when challenges come that people use to condemn us and our work.
The silent woman had nothing to say. She had been caught in her sin, she was brought to the public place, which was not legal as far as the law was concerned. The charge against her was substantiated. Her actions had led to her being brought to this place of condemnation. Here was an impure woman before One who embodied sinless, spotless, absolute Purity. He was "holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners." The only sinless One who had the legal right to cast the first stone was bowed down writing on the ground. The woman remained silent while the accusers continued to pressure Jesus for an answer to their challenge. It is always important in making decisions that affect other people to think in the way God would have us look at the matter at hand. We are limited by what we see and hear. God only is the One who knows the heart and the right outcome of an issue.
When Jesus rose and made a comment, it was both very simple and very profound. Only the sinless person among them had the right to cast the first stone. That was the qualification needed to execute the just punishment of the law. Then He bowed down again and wrote on the ground after saying, "He that is without sin (sinless) among you; let him cast the first stone at her." Where could such a person be found? The only one in the world, let alone that place, who had that right was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He only can forgive sin because He only, paid the price of sin with His life. The older men in that group of religious men must have been wiser and more conscious of their own guilt, and they moved away into the crowd. The younger ones who are often more zealous must have been looking at Jesus again while He was writing on the ground, when they realized the older ones were leaving and they began to think about what Jesus said. When they saw the reaction of the older men, the younger ones must have finally been awakened in their consciences as to what was going on. Their self-righteous accusations came back at them. They should have been looking at themselves as those who needed help and spiritual healing - and forgiveness, instead of being determined to condemn Jesus.
Jesus did not in any way ignore, condone or excuse what the woman had done. He just had plainly seen through the scheme of the scribes and Pharisees and dealt with that matter first. When they were gone, He dealt with the woman herself with grace and with truth. Both the woman and Jesus knew what she had done. Both knew what the demands of the law were. But when the accusers left and Jesus and the woman were in the middle of the on-looking crowd, the people watching the whole scene would have wondered what was going to happen next. The woman doubtless wondered that herself. When Jesus asked where her accusers were she spoke the only words she said in the whole event, "No man, Lord." That was evidence she knew who was deciding her future - the Lord. She knew Him as Lord. He had remarkably dealt with one problem, there were no accusers. Now how would He deal with her Himself?
The law demanded justice, and justice demanded accusers to lay charges. But there were no accusers, so justice was maintained. Mercy can be shown by the one who has the responsibility to judge a matter, and in this instance the Judge was the sinless Son of God, and He chose to show her mercy when He said, "Neither do I condemn thee..." Justice was satisfied when He said, "Go, and sin no more." His redeeming grace removed the charge of condemnation and in His compassion, He forgave her. "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more," are words of grace that indicates justice and mercy were both satisfied and maintained. At the same time the law Moses gave was vindicated and Roman law was not interfered with. How wise!!! How gracious!!! How holy and pure are the judgments and mercies of God!!!