Can You be the Judge?

Context:

• Jesus came to the temple early in the morning.
• The Scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery.
• The Mosaic Law stated that the woman was to be stoned.
• Jesus is asked what He has to say.
• NOTE: The earliest manuscripts don’t include John 7:53-8:11

John 8:6 “...Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground...”

Would it be helpful to know what Jesus wrote on the ground?

• Some think He wrote the sins of the accusers. 
• Some think He might have written Exodus 23:1 “...You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness...” 
• Some think He was just doodling while preparing to answer. 
• Most think if we needed to know, we would have been told.

John 8:7 “...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...”

What was their response?

• They went away one by one, beginning with the oldest.

Who is qualified to pass judgment on sin?

• The one who is without sin. 
• God alone has the right qualifications.

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

What concern does Jesus have with sin?

• He doesn’t quickly judge and punish sin. 
• He doesn’t condone sin. 
• He wants people to “sin no more”.

Which is easier, pointing out sin in others, or helping people to not sin?

How do religious people view sinners?

• Tendency is toward judgment, not toward assistance.

How is it possible to rebuke sin but give hope for a new life?

• Accepting sin doesn’t lead to new life. 
• Condemning sinners doesn’t lead to new life. 

Can people escape sin?

• Romans 3:23 “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...”

• Romans 6:12-14 “...Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace...”

• Grace prevents sin from having dominion. 
• Sin should not reign in our mortal bodies.