Here we see 3 principle characters: the Accusers, An adulterous woman, and Lord Jesus.
I. THE ALLEGATION (3-4)
The Mosaic Law was very specific on sexual immorality.
Adultery was technically a capital offense - the law demanded literal eyewitness testimony.
How did these men “happen” to catch her “in the act?” We don’t know.
Very clear in Levi 20:10 or Deut 22:22, both man & woman caught in adultery must be stoned to death.
Adultery by definition requires two people – So where is the man?
II. THE TRAP (5&6)
They were sure and joyful that Lord Jesus was absolutely trapped and they got Him.
Let’s look at this woman for a second.
1. She was guilty of adultery & caught in the act.
2. She was publicly humiliated - exposed in front of everybody - she was embarrassed - shamed and discredited.
3. The Mosaic Law condemned her to death and awaiting execution by stoning.
She had absolutely no hope and could not change her situation.
She was standing before Lord Jesus, the ultimate judge of whole world.
III. THE WRITING
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
This is the only time recorded in the Scriptures that Lord Jesus ever wrote anything in His earthly existence.
But we don’t know what He wrote.
IV. THE RESPONSE (7-11)
A. The Response of the Lord to the Accusers (7-8)
They were focusing on the outward behavior & action of the adulterous woman whereas Lord Jesus was pointing to the condition of their hearts.
B. The Response of the Accusers (9)
They hung their heads in shame and disappeared one by one until no one was left but Lord Jesus and the woman alone.
They were caught in their own trap.
C. The response of the Lord to the Woman (10-11)
If anyone in the entire world who could have condemned her is Lord Jesus Christ.
In the recorded human history He was the only sinless person ever born to a woman.
Do you notice that there is no mention of repentance in the event?
I understand her repentance began from the moment the Lord challenged them to throw the first stone
According to John 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (Jesus)” He came to save us but not to condemn.
Then Jesus said, “Go and sin no more” because the Lord is full of grace and truth.
What a beautiful picture of God’s grace in action.
CONCLUSION (12)
The woman caught in adultery is a picture of every person who receives forgiveness of sins through Lord Jesus Christ by faith.
The scripture says we are all guilty of sin stand condemned already in the sight of God.
John 3:18 Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (Jesus).
On that cross Jesus was wounded and shed His blood for everybody in the world.
The sinless Jesus became sin for us on the cross and freed us from our sin once for all.
Romans 8:1 “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.
This is amazing grace and wonderful love of God through Jesus Christ to everyone who believes in Him alone for forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life.
Those who believe & trust in Jesus Christ are not condemned anymore because their sins are forgiven once for all.
Only Jesus Christ can save us from our sins because He paid for them on the cross.
Are you willing to receive this amazing grace of forgiveness of your sin by faith?