Chapter Overview
Jesus is teaching in the temple when Jewish leaders bring Him a woman who has been caught in adultery. They ask Him what should be done to her. He asks the one who has no sin to cast the first stone. Slowly, all the men leave. He then explains there is no testimony against her and sends her away, telling her to “sin no more.” This opens a discussion about testimony concerning Jesus, including His own words and works, along with the prophecy and proclamations of His Father. He teaches eternal life with the Father and that unbelievers will die in their sins for the devil is their father! The men try to claim Abraham as their father, but Jesus enrages them when He says, “Before Abraham was, I am”.
Things are heating up between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. He is teaching in their temple and embarrassing them with His wisdom. In the case of the adulterous women, the men’s motives are faulty, and they leave in shame. But the guilty woman is given a pardon by the mercy of the Lord. Jesus has proven His glory and His right to be obeyed, and those who will not believe will die in their sins. To claim God as Father is to follow Jesus. We must understand this. To follow the world is to have the devil as our father. We belong to whomever we follow. Jesus existed before all men, is glorified as holy, and is worthy to be praised.
Kind Father, we know You show mercy to those who are sorrowful for their sins. Like the adulterous woman told to sin no more, we call upon your grace to free us from our sins, and we vow to pursue holiness. We acknowledge Your Son as the Light of the world, and the One who was lifted up to save us from sin and darkness. He is eternal and He is holy, and reverence to You is shown through belief in Jesus and obeying His teachings. We commit to Him as our Guide and to You as our only Father.
Thought Questions
- 1Beyond the fact that all witnesses left, why did Jesus send the adulterous woman away unpunished? What does that say about Him?
- 2Jesus said you must continue in His word to be set free from sin. How are you making it a priority to continue in His word?
- 3Can God be your Father if He is not allowed to control your life? Why must you trust and follow Jesus to have God as your Father?