Audio Sermon File: John 7:53-8:11
Going Deeper: Study Guide
Throwing Stones - Responding to Critical Attacks
A guy came to his pastor and said, "Pastor, I only have one talent." The pastor asked, "What’s your talent? The man said, "I have the gift of criticism." The pastor was wise and replied, "The Bible says that the guy who had only one talent went out and buried it. Maybe that’s what you ought to do with yours."...
Some of us may joke about having the gift of criticism, but on a more serious note - our lesson today strikes at the heart of each one on us - none of us can say that we are exempt from it. I encourage you to consider for yourself some of the applications that are presented today. Our passage today is a very well known story - the account of the woman caught in adultery, and the attempt by the religious establishment to satisfy the Law by having her stoned. The story deals with a critical attack on the woman, but the real focus and real attack is upon Jesus. Criticism can be constructive and given with the aim to edify, but what we are dealing with today is critical attacks, that have the aim to destroy. Critical attacks can be dished out by us - or maybe we are on the receiving end - but in both cases they should be buried. There are some basic reasons why this happens which may include jealousy - someone gets a promotion at work and you hear these words - ‘he didn’t deserve that promotion….the guy is an idiot…he just got it because he does whatever the boss wants’ - a stone is thrown. Perhaps critical attacks can stem from pride - look at Stella, she thinks that her term paper is so great - she should have focused more on this area… she is such a loser - pride causes us to think that we are better than the other person so we judge and criticize them - another stone is thrown.
Sometimes we attack others because it is a way that we can cover our own sin - just like in our passage where the religious authorities want to take the focus off their sin in light of truth - and they set up a smoke screen - set the attention upon someone else, on Jesus - and stones are picked up. Another reason why critical attacks take place is due to our insecurities - they can often lead us to maliciously judge and criticize others - we are threatened by the success and hard work of a colleague and we think this - I’m going to really give it to Donald in front of everyone tonight at our team meeting - and then we follow through on it - the stone is thrown….
Whatever the root is - we must realize that critical attacks are not edifying and it is sin. Scripture tells us that we are not to tear one another down but instead we are to what?…… encourage one another and build up one another (1 Thess. 5:11).
Our passage today is very well known story - the account of the woman caught in adultery, and the attempt to satisfy the Law by having her stoned. Yet many of us do not realize that this story has its unique challenges, in terms of where it belongs in Scripture. In terms of the Gospel of John most Bible scholars would agree that this passage does not belong at this juncture. Most believe that at some point in time this story was added since the best manuscripts of John do not have it. In addition no leaders of the Greek Church refer to it for about 1000 years after Jesus' time. The style and vocabulary speak against its inclusion, so does the fact that it seems to interrupt the flow of events that are in chapter 7. There are even manuscripts that place this story at different places in the Gospels. So we might ask - is this story for real then? The answer is that there is no reason to believe that this account is not historically correct or lacks any historical veracity. It does seems that this account though not belonging to the gospel of John, that it was preserved and communicated from a very early time. It is also treated by most as belonging to the Bible, but the question was - where? Most of our English translations keep it at this point. It is possible that we are incorrect about all of the above, and therefore it is kept in the text at this point. So what do we do with it then? The account gives no reason to dismiss it as fabricated, since it appears to be in full agreement with Jesus' character, so it is taught and considered.
From today’s passage we can get some insight into how to respond to critical attacks. The first realization is that…
CRITICAL ATTACKS WILL ALWAYS BE PRESENT (v.7:53-8:5)
People will always try corner you in, there will always be someone that wants to slam you for no good reason…this can be anywhere…even at church by those who are immature and also those who are supposed to be mature.
Let us begin our passage… 53 [Everyone went to his home. 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and [began] to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center [of the court], 4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?"
v.7:53 - With the fiery exchange of opinions, assertions, and insults of chapter 7, one would have expected that Jesus would have been seized and arrested. Jesus from a human standpoint was vulnerable, in enemy territory - but we observe that God has His way as always - and He sovereignly controls the details of history. What happens is that the gathered Sanhedrin are scattered - their evil plans against the Son of God are held at bay by God's hand. As a result Everyone went to his home.
v.8:1 - In contrast Jesus follows a familiar pattern of His - that is He teaches in Jerusalem and then departs in the evening to a place outside the city. This time as on other occasions Jesus heads for the Mount of Olives, a favourite place for Him. It is quite possible that Jesus went to the town of Bethany, to stay with His friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Or simply He could have slept on the mountainside as Scripture records on other occasions.
v.2 - Early in the morning, at daybreak... Jesus went into the temple courts. Once again Jesus follows His regular pattern of teaching the people, when He enters into the temple. There came a continuous stream of people gathering around Him, so Jesus teaches them.
v.3 - In the midst of Jesus' teaching - this is where the critical attack begins - The scribes and the Pharisees, that is members of the Sanhedrin, bring to Jesus, a woman. It becomes apparent that a trap was being laid out before Jesus - and this is confirmed in verse 6. If we think through the circumstances we can observe some suspicious details. The first is that this was early in the morning. It seems to be a real possibility, that the Sanhedrin were out all night devising a scheme to trap Jesus....and this is what they came up with. Picture this in your minds - there is a growing crowd around Jesus and suddenly there is a growing disturbance of voices....these are of the people. The Sanhedrin members push aside the people in order to get to the front - where Jesus sat. They bring this woman and they - set her in the center - so that everyone could see this spectacle. The second thing which seems unusual is that the Sanhedrin brought the woman to Jesus, where they normally would have dragged her off to their own courts to bring her to trial - instead they publicly flaunt their 'prized catch.'
v.4 - The captors say to Jesus - Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. The fact that this woman was guilty was not an issue. Another thing that seems odd about the Sanhedrin's circus act was - how did these guys actually catch this woman in adultery? In those days adultery was a severely punishable sin...unlike today where marital unfaithfulness is unfortunately statistically high - and it seems that it has become increasingly more accepted - and perhaps even a lifestyle option. In Jesus' time those daring enough to engage in adultery would certainly have hidden it well. Another consideration is this - adultery involves 2 people...what happened to the counterpart - the man who was caught in adultery? It becomes a possibility that these teachers of the law and Pharisees could have set up this woman.
v.5 - The captors continue saying - Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say? The Law which they referred to was from one of two verses. The first is from Lev. 20:10 and the second which is essentially the same, comes from Deut. 22:22 - "If a man is found lying with a married woman, then both of them shall die…. The manner of putting the adulterer and adulteress are not mentioned. To stone someone was prescribed in the case of adultery involving an engaged virgin girl (Deut. 22:23). It was clear that these are the verses they had in mind and they wanted to prescribe stoning. These teachers of the law and Pharisees go to Jesus with this and say to Him - what then do You say? They have conveniently pointed out that a woman such as this should be put to death. They took what they believed to be a ‘legal and political hot potato’ and they cast it into Jesus’ hands - putting the focus on Him. Critical attacks can come at anytime. They usually catch us off guard and they hit hard. In our passage it came from those we would least expect it from - religious leaders. It was a shameful display of their heart attitudes. The attack was slick for it was dressed in the form of a sincere question regarding the Law, but we know of the depth of the wickedness that was present. Often critical attacks will lead ‘stone throwers’ to enter into a cesspool of sinful activity. In this case a woman caught in adultery, though guilty, none the less was needlessly publicly shamed, as she was caught in the attackers web of sin. They shamelessly use her as a tool to trap Jesus (in their eyes she was disposable - it was the cost of doing business). People get unnecessarily hurt when others launch malicious attacks. In addition, we may note that to launch a critical attack, it often involves bending the rules - in order to carry out sin it may call for added sinful activity. Jesus faced critical attacks dozens of times - unfortunately they are a part of life and are ever present, so we need to consider how we can respond to them.
RESPOND TO CRITICAL ATTACKS BY NOT REACTING (v.6)
They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.
v.6 - Verse 6 makes it clear that this question was designed as a trap - testing Him - designed to trip Jesus up - so that they might have grounds for accusing Him….which would ultimately lead to justifying their plot to kill Jesus. The word testing, can also be translated as ‘tempt’ - this word can be defined as putting someone to the test with the likely result of failing that test. So they were thinking that they got Jesus, now - He’s not going to get out of this one. This was a corrupt scheme. They were more interested in nailing Jesus, but if the woman got stoned to death in this process - they probably wouldn’t have given her a second thought. Let me explain to you the context of why this is a trap. At this time of history, the Jews were under the rule of the Romans. Now the Romans did not have such a penalty of death for adultery. So, if Jesus was to say - Yes I agree with you and you should stone her - then Jesus would be open to being prosecuted by the Romans, for inciting the people to go against Roman law - because they were responsible to make the decision regarding capital crimes. In addition Jesus’ character would come into question since He was always known for demonstrating compassion and forgiveness for sinners. If Jesus said - No, she should not be stoned - then Jesus was therefore in offense against God’s law. So the question and situation was a tricky one - a seemingly no win situation….just as the Jews wanted. It is possible that Jesus could have refused to answer the question…and therefore they couldn’t pin anything on Him….but the fate of the woman would have been sealed - the Jews would have moved forward to have her stoned. In short this was a malicious attack.
This is how Jesus responds - Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. What Jesus wrote or drew is left only to speculation - yet for a moment Jesus does ignore those around Him as He stooped down. It is as without words Jesus is saying to the accusers that they are simply not worth listening to…and that is usually the case. We can learn a lesson from Jesus - Don’t react - that is don’t launch a counter attack…instead if we take some time to pray, to reflect on applicable Scripture, to calm down - just to remain composed then we can better avoid the trap that is set. At that time then we can respond in a appropriate manner. Those who criticize others often want a reaction. They want to see you fume. They want you to strike back in such a way to discredit you. They want to make a fool out of you. 1 Pet. 5:8 - teaches us this - Be of sober [spirit], be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. We need to be careful because Satan is ready and willing to use us or someone else to throw stones… Instead Respond with care based on and within the framework of God’s Word.
J. Oswald Sanders in the book Spiritual Leadership quotes from the book Evangelical Thought by - R.D. Abella - this is what is written: There is nothing else that so kills the efficiency, capability and initiative of a [person] as destructive criticism….It tends to hamper and undercut the efficiency of man’s thinking process. It chips away at his self-respect and undermines his confidence in his ability to cope with his responsibilities. Sanders continues and he states… ‘No [person] lives a day without criticism, and humility will never be more on trial than when criticism comes.’ One way to demonstrate that humility is to….
RESPOND TO CRITICAL ATTACKS BY ALLOWING GOD’S WORD TO CONVICT (v.7-9)
But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him [be the] first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they [began] to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center [of the court].
v.7 - Jesus’ accusers were so bent on cornering Him with an answer to their question, that they persisted in asking Him - they don’t relent with the pressure. According to the OT (Deut. 17:7) the witnesses are the ones who would be responsible to administer the first blows of the stoning. This ensured that the witnesses were certain of what they saw - for if they brought false testimony then they would be held accountable for their actions - they would be responsible for taking an innocent life. Jesus gets up - and what He says are very well known words - He who is without sin among you, let him [be the] first to throw a stone at her. The words were so concise and convicting that Jesus’ accusers were totally unarmed. I imagine that there was utter silence at that moment. Jesus’ answer speaks to His Divine nature and wisdom - it doesn’t reject the law and it offers refuge to the guilty woman. It sets the conscience into gear and warns those present of their own sinfulness. The only one who could condemn this woman would have to be righteous and pure.
v.8 - Once again Jesus stooped down and continued to do what He had done - He wrote on the ground. Once again Jesus seems to ignore his accusers - yet it opened up a moment of silence where self examination could take place and their hearts would be searched.
v.9 - As Jesus’ words sunk in and those who heard it, which included those who intended judgment upon Jesus and the woman, and those people who watched this circus act - they now introspectively looked at their own lives….suddenly the focus was shifted from the woman’s sin to their own….no one had anything further to add. One by one starting with the older ones - they probably left first because they immediately got the message, since they lived life longer and had amassed a greater debt of sin which quickly flooded their minds. So all the people left with their heads hung down in shame - in one great continuous procession. It is possible that in these kinds of times in our own lives - when we realize our own sinfulness before we point it out in others - that our consciences will be pricked and we will respond - but what kind of response will it be - temporal or eternal? The Holy Spirit can do His work in these times of self analysis - we can submit to the work that He is doing and change - or we can walk away from Him in rejection. It is a sad observation to make, but we should note that none of these people who walked away - walked to Christ in repentance seeking a righteous heart - it was merely remorse - a worldly sorrow - not a godly sorrow leading to life. In the end only Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center [of the court]. One question that we may have from this section is this - Is Jesus setting a precedence here that we are not to correct anyone because we are all sinners? No. We are all painfully aware that there is something that is unrighteous in ourselves…maybe because of pride we don’t admit it openly….but we do know that is our state. What Jesus is saying is that we are not to be hypocrites. For example, if we ourselves are engaged in gossip and when someone spreads some gossip about us…what do we do… we immediately reach for the rocks. Scripture does call believers to confront others about their sin and even administer discipline - just look at a well known passage as Matt. 18 referring to church discipline. The issue is not are we holy enough to cast stones - a quick answer to that is NO. Jesus’ point is that we must start by questioning ourselves and take stock of our own sins and point the finger at our self first - if we do that I believe that you will find that you will say a lot less about others. We must also maintain a proper attitude towards sin. Sin is to be mortified - that is to be put to death. Sin must be loathsome to us - we must hate it in our self, and in others. In this way we will not attack people but strike at the enemy within. The more we love sin the more it will sideline us in being a holy people - a holy church. The evilest desires of men are smashed by God’s hand when we let God speak into the situation.
Jesus, in verse 7, gives us words which most, if not all of us know - and have probably even quoted. We can respond to those who attack us by putting God’s Word into speech and action. Let His Word do what it is intended to do - Isaiah 55:10 God says - my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty , but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. When we sin we are given a second chance - whether we are on the giving end or the receiving we can know that….
WE CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR BEING CRITICAL (v.10-11b)
Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."]
v.10 - Jesus got up and speaks to the woman - the address ‘woman’ used by Jesus is respectful. He asks her where everyone is. Where are all your accusers? Did no one condemn you? v.11 - There is a fitting conclusion to this episode….the woman replies that no one condemns her. And Jesus Himself declared that He will not condemn her. This doesn’t imply that in any way that Jesus approves of adultery…sin is sin…. and sin unconfessed will not go unpunished. But in Christ, those who trust Him to remove our sins can be forgiven. This woman was caught in the sniper fire at Jesus, but she stands as a beacon of hope for us. She is forgiven for her sin of adultery, which establishes the hope that we can be forgiven for our sins - no matter what they are. When we find that we have been critical of others - humbly stand before Jesus for forgiveness - and He will set your heart straight for Jesus calls us to this final point…
RESPOND BY LIVING A TRANSFORMED LIFE (v.11c)
The very last words of our passage are these - "Go now and leave your life of sin." Jesus doesn’t condemn the woman, even though she is guilty….instead He gives her a command of obedience - Go now and leave your life of sin. Jesus tells her to sin no more…stop the sin you have walked in….don’t go back to that path….make a clean break. Jesus addresses the specific sin of adultery, and sin in general - through an appeal to live a righteous life in light of a merciful Lord. Even when we fail morally, there is sufficient grace found through the cross of Christ. The hope of living a life of righteousness can be a reality, by coming to Jesus humbly in repentance, and turning away from sin. Author and Bible teacher - Merril Tenney, wrote this about Jesus’ response in our passage…. They brought the woman as a captive; He questioned her as a free person They regarded her as an accessory to their convenience; He respected her as a human being They saw only the blackness of her past - "the very act"; He thought in terms of her future - "sin no more" They were eager to stone her; He was ready to save her.
Jesus sets for us an example of how we can respond to critical attacks and turn things around so that He will be glorified. Phil 4:4-9 teaches us how to live a transformed life…. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
What are some of the stones that you are carrying today? Maybe the weight of the stones that you hold are crushing you, and you don’t even remember not carrying them. May I encourage you to put your stones away…it is going to be hard….I know, but we must. Start by confessing to Jesus asking Him to take them from you…stones aimed at ex-friends, wives, husbands, a boss, co-worker, or someone who has deeply hurt you. And may we all live transformed lives, by the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
