Read John 8:1-8:6a. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
Writing on Quora is challenging. I read great questions and then I suspect trolling questions. Many times, I ask myself, “Why is that person asking that question? Is it worth my time and energy to answer his or her questions?
Jesus faced a question that placed Him between a rock and a hard place. Witnesses caught a woman in the very act of adultery. They brought the accused and convicted woman to Jesus but not the man! It is not a matter of determining her innocence or guilt. It is about the appropriate punishment on this woman.
Digging Deeper
The religious leaders said this to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” Was it a fair and legitimate question? It appears to be on the surface, but if Jesus disagree with the Law of Moses, He could be rejected or even stoned by the crowd for not enforcing the Law! If Jesus agreed to stone the woman, He could be accused of being an insurrectionist against Rome for capital punishment was to be delivered only by Roman Law. Additionally, it seems unjust as they only brought charges against the woman, but the man is not mentioned at all. That doesn’t seem fair!
The religious leaders thought that they had Jesus in a “box”, in a lose-lose situation. When we read a question or listen to someone’s question, there is the face value of that question but the manner in which the question is posed reflects or hints perhaps at the motive of the person. Is it asked in a neutral manner and in a neutral setting or is it in a highly flammable situation? Don’t jump into the frying pan!
I admit sometimes that I am reacting instead of responding. It may be because of a previous question or a question that seems to be a trap for Christians. What about you, “How do you respond when someone questions your faith or just asking a question about your faith? Read on and see Jesus responded to that question.
-Kingston