John 8

 Another great day yesterday! Got the lawn done- possibly last time this year. Spent most of the afternoon outside enjoying the sun and nice day! Today is my busy day...lectionary group, grocery shopping (yahoo) and other errands. I lead such an exciting life!

Today's readings present some challenges to us. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts!

There is some controversy surrounding this first story we read today. Some theologians think that it never happened and think it should have been omitted (partially because it seems as though Jesus approves of sexual immorality) and some agree that it happened, just not in this series of events. There are some ancient writings dating about the same time as John's gospel that tell a similar story, so it likely did happen. 

Jesus is in the Temple again (after spending the night at the Mount of Olives), and somewhat defiant of the religious authority; remember the day before the tried to arrest him to execute him, but he comes back to teach the people. The religious authority brought a women to Jesus that was suspected of adultery; they could have tried her privately (as was commonly done), but they wanted to make this as public a scene as possible. Big question- where was the man? Was he guilty too? I assume not (just kidding, being snarky!). From a legal aspect, adultery was tough to prove. Two witnesses had to say exactly the same thing and they actually had to witness "the act" happening. It wasn't enough to see two people leave the same room or even see them in the same bed, the witnesses had to "see" what was happening! Stoning was the appropriate punishment (v 5), but the standards were so high that it often didn't happen. They turn to Jesus- what would He say in this situation (v 5)?! Defy Mosaic law or be extremely harsh to the woman?

Stooping down (a position of lower status, humility), Jesus writes something in the dirt of the floor, seemingly ignoring them (v 6). What did he write? We have no indications of that! some say it was the sins of the accusers, some say it was the Mosaic law about adultery, some say it was just scribbles and doodles, some say it was the names of the accusers. He eventually stands up and states, "He who is without sin cast the first stone..." (v 7). Explanation is needed- Mosaic law says that the person that is the primary witness must be the one to cast the first stone. Jesus essentially challenges them saying, we can execute her, but we are going to do it the right way. So who saw her. Oh and by the way, where is the man! Jesus stoops down again to ease tensions.

Humiliated, the religious authority leave the Temple. Likely oldest to youngest because the oldest probably had more sins accumulated than the younger!

Jesus was left alone with the woman. Nobody is left to condemn her, and Jesus can't because he didn't witness anything. Jesus, having no sin, could have cast the first stone, but he took her sins upon him- especially as he was in the stooped position, probably being even lower than her. He tells her to go and sin no more, Repentance and redemption. Hope for a better future. 

Jesus goes back to teaching (it seems as though this woman scene interrupted the prior activities). Light is a powerful symbol, especially during the Feats of the Tabernacles. Many of the ceremonies of the week focus on light (God led the Hebrew people with a pillar of light), so for Jesus to call himself the Light of the World was significant for the Jews. Consider also the contrast to the darkness of the men that just brought the woman to Jesus. We know Jesus is the Word (1:1), it also makes sense that Jesus would be the Light too! Jesus just proclaimed that He was the Light, but the Pharisees couldn't "see" it, so they asked for witnesses! They couldn't see the Light because they were blinded to the Light.  Court trials needed two witnesses, Jesus is one and God is the second witness (vv 17-18). The Pharisees ask where his father was. This was actually a slam on Jesus as there was controversy about his virgin birth and that his birth was not miraculous but scandalous!  They were looking for some hostile response from Jesus. No response other than more discussion of God and heaven!

Jesus knows he is going to heaven; he also knows that his accusers are likely not going to heaven and so where Jesus is going, they cannot come (v 21). The religious authority assumed that Jesus was suicidal with that announcement (v 22); suicide victims go to the lowest level of Hades, a place where the Pharisees were never going to go. Jesus and the religious authority do have different destinies, just not what they thought (v 23)! Jesus tries to get them to understand and to get them to believe that he is who he says he is (vv 25- 29). Jesus is persistent in his discussion, but cannot sway the religious authority. Others though do "convert" (v 30). 

To believe in Jesus is to abide in Jesus (vv 31- 32). When we live and breath Jesus, we will then know the truth and know goodness. The Jews believed that they would have salvation through their inheritance, being descendants of Abraham, but Jesus is saying that the way to salvation is belief in Him. This goes against all their teachings. What they were saying is, "we don't need you, we're good with Abraham!" Jesus agrees that they are Abraham's descendants in body, but not in spirituality (vv 39-40). They slam Jesus again, commenting about his "illegitimate" fathering; many people were not convinced of his virgin birth (would you 2000 years ago?!). The discussion goes around many times about Jesus coming from God and that if the people believed God then they should also believe Jesus. People just would not agree with Jesus and his "parentage". Jesus evens gets to the point were he calls the Pharisees "Satan's spawn" (v 44, my translation of the text) as they have the same desires as Satan does! Powerful conviction from Jesus!

The people fighting Jesus were not winning; Jesus was. So, they resort to name calling saying Jesus is a Samaritan (we know how well the Jews get along with them, so it really was a bad name) and that he was demon possessed and crazy (v 48)! Jesus calmly shuts them down and ends with the promise of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. The fight continues, and Jesus ends with saying "I AM" (remember the voice coming from the burning bush that Moses saw?!) Jesus is saying that He and God are the same. I AM!

Blasphemy! Let the stoning begin (v 59).

Phew! Lots of action and discussion here today! I am tired from all the reading and name calling! And the childish behavior of the religious authority! But, what a great read! Nothing like this in the synoptics. Most all these lines from today point to Jesus as Messiah.

Have a great rest of the day.

Shalom+
Pastor Paul