Read John 8:6b-11. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Digging Deeper
As you might already know, this passage of John 7:8:1-8:11 is a controversial passage. Scholars debate whether it was inserted in later or if this was in the original manuscript. The primary reason for the debate is that this passage is not found in the earliest manuscripts, but only in the later ones. Questions that arise are, “Why wasn’t the passage in the earlier manuscripts? Did a copyist added it in?” The debate continues to this day, and it won’t be resolved in the foreseeable future. But I hope you’ll have more insight into the passage with my opinion.
There are moments when we are pressed for an answer. Individuals may be saying, “Well, what’s your answer? I see that you don’t have one.” or “What’s the problem? Cat got your tongue!” Others may say, “Afraid to answer? Or is it because you don’t have an answer?” Pressure to react is a common experience. We have all experienced it.
The religious leaders expected a verbal response. Jesus did something that befuddle them. He stooped down and wrote something on the ground. They weren’t looking at what He was writing but continually bombarded Him with questions. Most of us would be overwhelmed with their harsh words and demands and wouldn’t be able to think straight. At least, I wouldn’t be able to do so in that circumstance.
Jesus didn’t allow the religious leaders and their questions control Him and His response. He was in control, and He answered it in His time and in His manner. Jesus said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” They were pointing out her sin and wanted to condemn her, but Jesus turns the tables on them. He makes them address their own sin before they condemned her. They had to determine for themselves if they were guiltless before God. If any of them had not committed any sin against God or man, then that person would have the right to cast the first stone. There was only one person there that could, and He did not cast it.
Jesus is not condoning her sin. He tells her to leave her life of sin. Grace has been extended to her. Will she leave her life of sin or will she return to her life of sin? Hopefully, she will change her ways and we will too as He addresses the sins in our lives.
Whenever we are pressed by the circumstances or by the questions, take a step back and reflect on the circumstances before answering. Don’t be impulsive. Don’t just react. Not all questions require an immediate answer. It is better to be silent for a moment before speaking or writing an answer, than to regret it later.
What can you do better the next time when a spouse, a child, or a friend press es you for an answer? Don’t react but take a moment to ask the Spirit to guide you in giving an answer. Perhaps, they will be in awe of your answer for it come from God, not an everyday, impulsive answer.
-Kingston